What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Methylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
Emulsifying
Saccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingGaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Water
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingDisodium EDTA
Ribes Nigrum Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRibes Nigrum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Indigofera Tinctoria Extract
MaskingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantHemerocallis Fulva Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Myosotis Sylvatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicTocopherol
Antioxidant
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Tromethamine, Gaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Adenosine, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Disodium EDTA, Ribes Nigrum Leaf Extract, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Indigofera Tinctoria Extract, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Hemerocallis Fulva Flower Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Myosotis Sylvatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pyridoxine, Folic Acid, Biotin, Tocopherol, Cyanocobalamin, Thiamine Hcl, Riboflavin, Linoleic Acid, Beta-Carotene
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Methylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Tromethamine
BufferingDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
C12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
Emollient
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Indigofera Tinctoria Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citrus Nobilis Peel Extract
Masking
Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Ribes Nigrum Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Hemerocallis Fulva Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Myosotis Sylvatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Gluconolactone, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Water, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglycerin-3, Tromethamine, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, C12-14 Pareth-12, Panthenol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Lecithin, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Salicylic Acid, Allantoin, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Indigofera Tinctoria Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Nobilis Peel Extract, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Ribes Nigrum Leaf Extract, Hemerocallis Fulva Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Myosotis Sylvatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Hemerocallis Fulva Flower Extract yet.
We don't have a description for Indigofera Tinctoria Extract yet.
Methylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolWe don't have a description for Myosotis Sylvatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract yet.
Panthenol 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 PanthenolPropanediol 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 PropanediolRibes Nigrum Leaf Extract is a fragrance.
Tromethamine (aka THAM) is a synthetic amino acid that shows up in skincare as a helper ingredient.
It functions as a pH adjuster to help neutralize acidic ingredients and set a formula's pH to the right spot.
This matters a lot because a lot of actives (like vitamin C) needs a specific pH to work well and feel comfortable on skin.
Concentration use ranges from 0.1-1.0% depending on the formula.
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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
