What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialPEG-32
HumectantBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingTrehalose
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantArginine
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantHelichrysum Arenarium Extract
AntiseborrhoeicYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPearl Extract
AntioxidantDimethicone
EmollientPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Palmitoyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantAgar
MaskingCalcium Alginate
MaskingGellan Gum
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPhenylpropanol
MaskingPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
CleansingLactic Acid
BufferingPolyvinyl Alcohol
Glycolic Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Alcohol, PEG-32, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Niacinamide, Trehalose, Adenosine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Arginine, Panthenol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Beta-Glucan, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Helichrysum Arenarium Extract, Yeast Extract, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Pearl Extract, Dimethicone, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Palmitoyl Sarcosinate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Mica, Caramel, Agar, Calcium Alginate, Gellan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Propylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Phenylpropanol, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Lactic Acid, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Glycolic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCyclomethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantPolyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTropolone
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Triethanolamine
BufferingCoptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Extensin
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Water, Stearic Acid, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Glycerin, Cyclomethicone, Butylene Glycol, Copper Tripeptide-1, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Dimethicone, Trehalose, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tropolone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Triethanolamine, Coptis Japonica Extract, Adenosine, Propylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Extensin, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Beta-Glucan, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Disodium EDTA
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineBeta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanBiosaccharide Gum-1 is a sugar created by fermenting sorbitol (which usually comes from potato starch!). It is known for its soothing and moisturizing properties.
Manufacturer tests show this ingredient helped reduce irritation from lactic acid by almost half and kept skin hydrated long-term as a humectant
Beyond hydration, Biosaccharide Gum-1 gives formulas a silky, non-sticky feel.
This ingredient is gentle, versatile, and suitable for all skin types.
Fun fact: Similar sugars can be found naturally in fruits like apples and pears.
Learn more about Biosaccharide Gum-1Butylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl 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 GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. 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