What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingHydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Isododecane
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenylethyl Resorcinol
AntioxidantLactic Acid
BufferingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPEG-14m
Emulsion StabilisingDecarboxy Carnosine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientCitrus Limon Fruit Oil
AstringentPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingAstragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
EmollientPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningHydrated Silica
AbrasiveCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientSaposhnikovia Divaricata Root Extract
AntimicrobialCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingAlbizia Julibrissin Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGastrodia Elata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGentiana Scabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Zea Mays Starch, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Propanediol, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Disodium EDTA, Isododecane, Xanthan Gum, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Lactic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, PEG-14m, Decarboxy Carnosine Hcl, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Isopropyl Palmitate, Citrus Limon Fruit Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Hydrated Silica, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Saposhnikovia Divaricata Root Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Albizia Julibrissin Flower Extract, Gastrodia Elata Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Gentiana Scabra Root Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingHydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
Emollient3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientBHT
AntioxidantLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingParfum
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePhenylethyl Resorcinol
AntioxidantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Limonene
PerfumingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentAcetyl Trifluoromethylphenyl Valylglycine
Skin ConditioningOxothiazolidinecarboxylic Acid
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Niacinamide, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Isononyl Isononanoate, BHT, Linalool, Geraniol, Parfum, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Adenosine, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Limonene, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Citric Acid, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Maltodextrin, Acetyl Trifluoromethylphenyl Valylglycine, Oxothiazolidinecarboxylic Acid, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Alcohol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You might know this ingredient as Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a more stable version of ascorbic acid.
Like other types of vitamin C, this ingredient has many benefits including reducing wrinkles, skin soothing, dark spot fading, and fighting against free radicals.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid interferes with the process of skin darkening, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation. It also encourages the skin to produce more collagen.
Once applied, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is converted to Vitamin C deeper in the skin's layers. This process is slow but makes this ingredient more tolerable for skin.
The optimum pH range for this ingredient is 4 - 5.5
Learn more about 3-O-Ethyl 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin 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 GlycerinNiacinamide 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.
Phenylethyl Resorcinol (PR) is a synthetic antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitor. This ingredient is found naturally in pine trees.
What is a tyrosinase inhibitor?
Tyrosinase is an enzyme that plays a key role in melanin production, which leads to skin darkening when exposed to UV light. By inhibiting this enzyme, PR can help with skin brightening and lifting dark spots.
The manufacturer states 0.5% of PR is more effective than 1% kojic acid. In 2013, a study of 80 participants found combining PR with other skin-brightening ingredients found 57% showed moderate improvement and 17% saw no change. Another study with 20 women reported a 43% reduction in uneven skin tone.
While more research is needed to fully confirm PR's efficacy, there’s no harm in trying it - especially when combined with other proven skin-brightening ingredients.
Learn more about Phenylethyl ResorcinolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum