What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantBetaine
HumectantOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantCarbomer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialWater, Glycereth-26, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, Octyldodeceth-16, Glycerin, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Adenosine, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Beta-Glucan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Cyanocobalamin, Riboflavin, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium DNA
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium DNA
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Madecassoside
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Sodium DNA, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Maltodextrin, Beta-Glucan, Tocopherol, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium DNA, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Madecassoside, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tripeptide-1, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Madecassic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Potassium 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 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-GlucanButylene 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 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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