What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Inonotus Obliquus Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantPolyglycerin-3
HumectantPropanediol
SolventWater
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingDiglycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingSalvia Sclarea Oil
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantAniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil
AstringentLimonene
PerfumingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientInonotus Obliquus Extract, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Polyglycerin-3, Propanediol, Water, Niacinamide, Diglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyquaternium-51, Adenosine, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil, Limonene, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Beta-Glucan, Linalool, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Oryza Sativa Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Water
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventArtemisia Capillaris Extract
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientBetaine
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCitral
PerfumingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantCereus Grandiflorus Extract
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPrunella Vulgaris Extract
AntioxidantFucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingThymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningOriganum Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hippophae Rhamnoides Water, Glycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Propanediol, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Betaine, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Limonene, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Chloride, Adenosine, Linalool, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Ceramide NP, Centella Asiatica Extract, Citral, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Cereus Grandiflorus Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Prunella Vulgaris Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Origanum Vulgare Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate
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 GlycolCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is the oil from the bergamot orange and is primarily used as a fragrance. It has a "fresh" and "bright orange" scent.
The main aroma compounds found in this ingredient are limonene (~27-52%), linalool (~2-22%), and linalyl acetate (~27-40%). These are known EU fragrance allergens.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
When used topically, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is a photosensitizer due to the furanocoumarin content. Furanocoumarins absorb UV-A and cause phytophotodermatitis; this can look like redness, blistering, and lasting brown pigmentation on sun-exposed skin.
Due to this, this ingredient is capped at 0.4% in leave-on products applied to sun exposed skin.
Many modern formulas used a "furanocoumarin-free" version that sidesteps the phototoxicity issue, but still contains the fragrance allergens.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit OilGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium 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