What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
4-Butylresorcinol
Antioxidant
Water, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Niacinamide, Centella Asiatica Extract, Kojic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Polysorbate 20, Hyaluronic Acid, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Ferulic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, 4-Butylresorcinol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantKojic Acid
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Astragalus Gummifer Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingProline
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropylcellulose
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Ethoxydiglycol, Kojic Acid, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Alpha-Arbutin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Glycerin, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Astragalus Gummifer Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Proline, Hydroxyproline, Hydroxypropylcellulose, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Citric Acid, CI 19140
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinKojic 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 AcidNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Water. 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
