What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantUrea
BufferingCarnosine
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polyglyceryl-3 Cetyl Ether
EmulsifyingTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantBetaine
HumectantEpigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
AntioxidantResveratrol
AntioxidantAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Octapeptide-3
HumectantDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningTrifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-10 Citrulline
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Camellia Sinensis Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
AntioxidantDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningSuperoxide Dismutase
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-9 Diglycidyl Ether/Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientCitrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialWater, Glycerin, Urea, Carnosine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-3 Cetyl Ether, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Betaine, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Resveratrol, Astaxanthin, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Hexapeptide-9, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Tripeptide-10 Citrulline, Palmitoyl Camellia Sinensis Extract, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Superoxide Dismutase, Hyaluronic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-9 Diglycidyl Ether/Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Isohexadecane, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Retinal, Chlorphenesin
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientSucrose
HumectantT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPropanediol
SolventTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Phytate
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Dna
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Panthenol, Sodium Dna, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sucrose, T-Butyl Alcohol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Allantoin, Alpha-Arbutin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Propanediol, Tocopherol, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Dna, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (also known as Argireline) is a synthetic hexapeptide that is often called a "topical Botox alternative".
It works by mimicking how Botox relaxes muscles; it interferes with the signaling process that tells your facial muscles to contract. This can help soften expression lines like forehead wrinkles or crow's feet over time.
The comparison to Botox does have limits because the molecule is water-loving and relatively large.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 has a hard time absorbing deeply enough through the skin's outer barrier to actually reach the muscles.
So whether it truly works the way Botox does at a biological level is still up for debate, but early clinical outcomes are fairly encouraging.
A 12 week human study of a multi-ingredient regimen containing this ingredient saw:
While some studies have observed improvements in wrinkle appearance, it is important to note that more consistent results are seen in multi-ingredient formulations (vs just Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 alone).
Some research studies also used higher concentrations (up to 10%) while this ingredient is usually found in concentrations up to 0.005% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about Acetyl Hexapeptide-8Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. Itβs known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineGlycerin (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 GlycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidWater. 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 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