What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantAnastatica Hierochuntica Extract
AstringentCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDiglycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientIsotridecyl Isononanoate
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientJojoba Esters
EmollientCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningInonotus Obliquus Extract
Skin ConditioningAgave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingVinyldimethicone
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitic Acid
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantMethylpropanediol
SolventBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diisostearyl Malate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Diglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Isotridecyl Isononanoate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Jojoba Esters, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Lactobacillus Ferment, Inonotus Obliquus Extract, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Synthetic Beeswax, Vinyldimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Palmitic Acid, Tromethamine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tocopherol, Methylpropanediol, Behenyl Alcohol, C12-16 Alcohols, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientTuber Magnatum Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBetaine
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Palmitoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningBixa Orellana Seed Oil
EmollientOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
TonicChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
TonicMonarda Didyma Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
AstringentRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialFreesia Refracta Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Candidum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientSaussurea Involucrata Extract
HumectantAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientNymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Arginine, Carbomer, Betaine, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Adenosine, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Bixa Orellana Seed Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Monarda Didyma Leaf Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Chlorphenesin, Freesia Refracta Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Lilium Candidum Flower Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Saussurea Involucrata Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Parfum
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 AdenosineButylene 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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolTocopherol 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.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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