What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Carboxymethyl Starch
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBetaine
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentAllantoin
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningMelissa Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Water
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingMentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
TonicRosa Canina Fruit Extract
AstringentThymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingSaccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSaccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningMethyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingCholesterol
EmollientGlutathione
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantSqualane
EmollientDesamido Collagen
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantifolia Oil
CleansingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Sodium Carboxymethyl Starch, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Betaine, Tromethamine, Sodium Polyacrylate, Allantoin, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Melissa Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Water, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Sodium Gluconate, Adenosine, Caffeine, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Cholesterol, Glutathione, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Alcohol Denat., Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Squalane, Desamido Collagen, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Citral, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMethyl Hydrogenated Rosinate
PerfumingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingGlycereth-26
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingBehenic Acid
CleansingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyacrylate-13
Vinyldimethicone
Batyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl Isostearate
Skin ConditioningPolyisobutene
Ceramide NP
Skin ConditioningNicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingRetinol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Malt Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract
Skin ProtectingTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingDextrin
AbsorbentCholesterol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPhytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningAluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate
Emulsion StabilisingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingChitosan
Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
HumectantResveratrol
AntioxidantAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantAcetyl Octapeptide-3
HumectantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningArginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin ConditioningBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningDipeptide-2
Skin ConditioningDipeptide-4
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningMyristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Skin ConditioningNicotinoyl Dipeptide-23
Skin ConditioningNicotinoyl Tripeptide-1
AntioxidantNicotinoyl Tripeptide-35
AntioxidantNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-29
AntioxidantOligopeptide-32
AntiseborrhoeicPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-29
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-8
Skin ConditioningSh-Decapeptide-7
AntioxidantSh-Octapeptide-4
AntioxidantSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Polypeptide-16
Skin ProtectingSh-Polypeptide-22
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-3
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-62
AntioxidantSh-Polypeptide-9
Skin ConditioningSr-(Oligopeptide-91 Clostridium Botulinum Polypeptide-1)
Skin ConditioningTetrapeptide-30
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-10 Citrulline
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-29
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Methylpropanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Methyl Hydrogenated Rosinate, Polysorbate 60, Cyclopentasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Glycereth-26, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, PEG-100 Stearate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sorbitan Stearate, Behenic Acid, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyacrylate-13, Vinyldimethicone, Batyl Alcohol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phytosteryl Isostearate, Polyisobutene, Ceramide NP, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Retinol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Hydrolyzed Malt Extract, Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Isostearate, Dextrin, Cholesterol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Chitosan, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Resveratrol, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Dipeptide-2, Dipeptide-4, Hexapeptide-11, Hexapeptide-12, Hexapeptide-9, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-23, Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-35, Nonapeptide-1, Oligopeptide-29, Oligopeptide-32, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-29, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Sh-Decapeptide-7, Sh-Octapeptide-4, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-16, Sh-Polypeptide-22, Sh-Polypeptide-3, Sh-Polypeptide-62, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sr-(Oligopeptide-91 Clostridium Botulinum Polypeptide-1), Tetrapeptide-30, Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-10 Citrulline, Tripeptide-29
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 GlycolCholesterol is a lipid that is naturally found in human skin and is one of the three key components of your skin barrier. In skincare, it is an emollient and barrier-repairing ingredient.
It works by fitting directly into the lipid layers of skin to help restore structure and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
This is a great ingredient for dry, compromised, or aging skin; our skin starts to produce less cholesterol with age.
Research shows cholesterol works best in combination with ceramides and fatty acids, the other two major components in your skin barrier.
Cholesterol is also a well-establish penetration enhancer and can help other actives absorb more effectively.
Cosmetic-grade cholesterol is usually derived from lanolin but plant and synthetic options also exist. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about their source of cholesterol.
Learn more about CholesterolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinNiacinamide 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