What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Nepeta Cataria Extract
TonicRubus Idaeus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBaptisia Tinctoria Root Extract
Skin ConditioningStellaria Media Extract
Skin ConditioningEuphrasia Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Achillea Millefolium Flower Extract
Antioxidant
Aesculus Hippocastanum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRhodiola Rosea Root Extract
EmollientVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEquisetum Arvense Leaf Extract
AstringentLupinus Albus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin
AbsorbentSorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingTrisodium EDTA
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Triethylhexanoin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglycerin-3, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Panthenol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Nepeta Cataria Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract, Baptisia Tinctoria Root Extract, Stellaria Media Extract, Euphrasia Officinalis Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Achillea Millefolium Flower Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Leaf Extract, Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Equisetum Arvense Leaf Extract, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Beta-Glucan, Tocopherol, Adenosine, Dextrin, Sorbitan Stearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Dimethicone, Sodium Polyacrylate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Trisodium EDTA, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Citral, Linalool
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Pantolactone
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Cetearyl Olivate
Methylpropanediol
SolventArginine
Masking
Pullulan
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Phytate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
Antioxidant
Melatonin
Antioxidant
Illicium Verum Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Larix Sibirica Wood Extract
Antimicrobial
Quercus Mongolica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPersicaria Hydropiper Extract
Skin ConditioningRheum Palmatum Root/Stalk Extract
AstringentAsarum Sieboldii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Corydalis Turtschaninovii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCoptis Chinensis Root Extract
Antioxidant
Machilus Thunbergii Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Polyglutamic Acid, Pantolactone, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Carbomer, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Cetearyl Olivate, Methylpropanediol, Arginine, Pullulan, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Adenosine, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum, Maltodextrin, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Melatonin, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Larix Sibirica Wood Extract, Quercus Mongolica Leaf Extract, Persicaria Hydropiper Extract, Rheum Palmatum Root/Stalk Extract, Asarum Sieboldii Root Extract, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Corydalis Turtschaninovii Root Extract, Coptis Chinensis Root Extract, Machilus Thunbergii Bark Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP
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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 PanthenolWater. 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
