What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCitrus Junos Seed Extract
AntioxidantSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantSilk Amino Acids
HumectantCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantThiamine Hcl
MaskingParfum
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Carbomer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Xanthan Gum, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ascorbic Acid, Panthenol, Citrus Junos Seed Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Silk Amino Acids, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Biotin, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyanocobalamin, Tocopherol, Ceramide NP, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid, Propolis Extract, Beta-Carotene, Riboflavin, Thiamine Hcl, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantTranexamic Acid
AstringentBetaine
HumectantPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
AntioxidantCitrus Reticulata Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingAlgin
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantErgothioneine
AntioxidantFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantCitrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-2
BleachingHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Ascorbic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Tranexamic Acid, Betaine, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, Algin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ergothioneine, Ferulic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Nonapeptide-1, Hexapeptide-2, Hexapeptide-9, Oligopeptide-1, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cholesterol, Allantoin, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCeramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water