What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantSaccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Glycereth-26
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Propanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantSalvia Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialAcrylates/Vinyl Isodecanoate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Extract
PerfumingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTaraxacum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantLactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen Crosspolymer
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingOligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningFibronectin
Skin ConditioningWater, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Trehalose, Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Glycereth-26, Lactobacillus Ferment, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butylene Glycol, Salvia Officinalis Extract, Acrylates/Vinyl Isodecanoate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate, Pentylene Glycol, Soluble Collagen Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Arginine, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Chloride, Oligopeptide-1, Fibronectin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingXylitylglucoside
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXylitol
HumectantParfum
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantDisodium EDTA
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
HumectantMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantPhaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propanediol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Xylitylglucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Anhydroxylitol, Caprylyl Glycol, Xylitol, Parfum, Adenosine, Glucose, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Soluble Collagen, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, CI 42090, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Retinol, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Linalool
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.
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
Adenosine is a purine nucleoside that your body already makes in every cell. In skincare, it acts mainly as a skin conditioning and anti-aging agent.
The way it works is fairly well mapped out:
Your skin has cells called fibroblasts that build collagen (the stuff that keeps skin firm and smooth). Adenosine basically flips a switch on these cells that tells them to get to work making more collagen and other proteins. These cells slow down on their own as skin ages, so Adenosine helps give them a little nudge to keep going.
The clinical backing is pretty solid too.
A blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 126 women aged 45-65 tested a 0.1% cream twice daily and found real improvements in crow's feet and frown lines using a precise 3D skin-mapping technique; these changes showed up by week 3 and held at 2 months.
A later study using Adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches reported gains in wrinkle depth, dermal density, elasticity, and hydration.
On concentrations, South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has set 0.04% as the approved functional anti-wrinkle level. You'll typically see this ingredient used somewhere in the 0.04-0.1% range since it works at low doses.
This ingredient has been found safe for cosmetics with the data showing no irritation or sensitization.
Overall, this is a great ingredient for any anti-aging routine and has no photosensitizing effect, so it suits both AM and PM use.
Learn more about AdenosineCaprylyl 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 EDTAHydroxyacetophenone is a small phenolic molecule that earns its place in a formulas as an antioxidant and preservative booster.
As a phenol, it is able to neutralize free radicals to protect both the product and the skin from oxidative stress.
Though it can't kill microbes on its own, it works as a good supporting agent when combined with other preservatives like Phenoxyethanol or 1,2-Hexanediol.
This ingredient naturally occurs as piceol in Norwegian spruce needles (~0.4-1.1% dry weight and in cloudberries). Though the cosmetic-grade material is synthesized for purity and consistency.
You'll usually see it used at low levels and suppliers recommend up to 1% added to a water phase.
Safety testing was done at concentrations like 0.05% in SPF products and 0.5% in a Human Repeated Insult Patch Test. The safety evidence is assuring; this ingredient is safe for cosmetics in current use and also holds safety status as a food flavoring as well.
An honest caveat: the "soothing" and "anti-inflammatory" claims come mostly from supplier marketing rather than published clinical trials. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review's own literature search found no useful efficacy studies on this ingredient.
So the antioxidant and preservative-boosting roles are the well supported ones while the calming benefit is plausible but thinly evidenced.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-irritation multitasker that quietly helps a formula stay fresh and stable.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePolymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxanePropanediol 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.
Learn more about PropanediolChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideThis ingredient is used in makeup and skincare to thicken formulas, reduce shine, and give skin a silky-smooth feel.
It’s a white silicone powder that sits in fine lines and pores to blur their appearance though its effectiveness depends on the particle size.
You'll typically find this ingredient in amounts between 0.1-20%.
Learn more about Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane CrosspolymerWater. 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