Skin science article
Charlotte Tilbury Glow Toner Versus Laneige Cream Skin Cerapeptide Refiner
Charlotte Tilbury Glow Toner Versus Laneige Cream Skin Cerapeptide Refiner This brightening toner is formulated around Niacinamide to brighten dull-looking skin and refine the look of pores. This hydrating essence is formulated around Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Charlotte Tilbury Glow Toner Versus Laneige Cream Skin Cerapeptide Refiner
This brightening toner is formulated around Niacinamide to brighten dull-looking skin and refine the look of pores.
This hydrating essence is formulated around Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil and Ceramide NP to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Propanediol
Niacinamide
Silica
Isopentyldiol
Phenoxyethanol
Glycerin
Benzyl Alcohol
Dicaprylyl Ether
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Carbomer
Parfum
Sodium Hyaluronate
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Sodium Hydroxide
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Phenethyl Alcohol
Ethylhexylglycerin
Maltodextrin
Pentapeptide-48
Tocopherol
Limonene
Citronellol
Geraniol
Linalool
Citral
Eugenol
Water, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Silica, Isopentyldiol, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Benzyl Alcohol, Dicaprylyl Ether, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Carbomer, Parfum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Maltodextrin, Pentapeptide-48, Tocopherol, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Citral, Eugenol
Butylene Glycol
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
1,2-Hexanediol
Squalane
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Glyceryl Caprylate
Disodium EDTA
Mannitol
Acrylates/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Hyaluronic Acid
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Xanthan Gum
Ceramide NP
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Isopentyldiol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Squalane, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Disodium EDTA, Carbomer, Mannitol, Acrylates/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Ceramide NP, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
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.
Glycerin (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.
Isopentyldiol is a synthetic solvent, humectant, and emollient.
Humectants have the ability to attract and hold water while emollients create a thin film to prevent water from evaporating. This combination keeps your skin and hair soft and hydrated. Plus, isopentyldiol does not leave a sticky feeling behind.
As a surfactant, isopentyldiol is a hydrotrope. Hydrotropes help surfactants (cleansing agents) dissolve into water.
According to the manufacturer, using this ingredient with sorbitol boosts skin hydration and helps close cuticles of damaged hair.
This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on 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!