This brightening toner is formulated around Niacinamide and Sodium DNA to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles.
This brightening toner is formulated around Niacinamide to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningIsopentyldiol
HumectantC1-18 Alkyl Acrylate
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Stearyl Alcohol
EmollientArginine
MaskingGlutathione
Hydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientPanax Ginseng Extract
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium DNA
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Isopentyldiol, C1-18 Alkyl Acrylate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Adenosine, Glyceryl Stearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Stearyl Alcohol, Arginine, Glutathione, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Panax Ginseng Extract, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium DNA, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPEG-32
HumectantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, PEG-32, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Allantoin, Panthenol, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Madecassoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
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.
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 preservatives
Butylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTANiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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