What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingAlpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Alcohol, Glycerin, Ethoxydiglycol, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Alpha-Arbutin, Glutathione, Kojic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinyl Palmitate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Kojic Acid is a naturally occurring organic acid that is produced during the fermentation of certain fungi. It is one of the most well-studied brightening ingredients (tyrosinase inhibitors) out there.
That's why you'll see Kojic Acid in products that target dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and general uneven skin tone. It also pairs well with other brightening actives like Alpha Arbutin, Glycolic Acid, and Vitamin C derivatives.
By latching onto the copper that the enzyme tyrosinase needs to function, Kojic Acid prevents less pigment from being made. It's so well-established that researchers regularly use it as the go-to benchmark when testing new brightening ingredients.
Some other perks include documented antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) Expert Panel concluded Kojic Acid is safe for use in cosmetic products at concentrations up to 1% and the EU's SCCS (Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety) considers it safe as a skin lightening agent at concentrations up to 0.7%.
One thing to know about Kojic Acid is that stability is its weak spot; it is sensitive to light, heat, and air exposure and will oxidize/turn brown in formulations. Its derivative, Kojic Dipalmitate, was developed as a stable alternative.
Some individuals have reported contact sensitization so be sure to patch test if you have reactive or sensitive skin.
Fun fact: It was first discovered in 1907 and naturally occurs in the production of sake, soy sauce, and miso.
Learn more about Kojic AcidWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
