What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingMethylpropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingTrehalose
HumectantCyclomethicone
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentDimethicone
EmollientEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sucrose Cocoate
EmulsifyingPolysilicone-11
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPleurotus Ferulae/Panax Ginseng Berry Extract Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingPropanediol
SolventVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicLavandula Angustifolia Water
MaskingHyacinthus Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingChamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBorago Officinalis Extract
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningZanthoxylum Schinifolium Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMagnesium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingSucrose
HumectantUrea
BufferingGlycine
BufferingCalcium Chloride
AstringentPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingOrnithine
Skin ConditioningSea Salt
AbrasiveAlanine
MaskingMagnesium Chloride
Threonine
Histidine
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingValine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningNicotinoyl Tripeptide-1
AntioxidantNicotinoyl Sh-Pentapeptide-19
Skin ConditioningGalloyl Pentapeptide-33
AntioxidantGalloyl Nonapeptide-11
AntiseborrhoeicDigalloyl Tetrapeptide-19
AntioxidantCaffeoyl Tripeptide-1
AntioxidantCaffeoyl Sh-Octapeptide-4
AntioxidantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantDipotassium Phosphate
BufferingLysine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningTyrosine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Citrate
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Phenylalanine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
Humectant1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin ConditioningAsparagine
MaskingCitrulline
Skin ConditioningUric Acid
BufferingMethionine
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingTryptophan
MaskingGlutamine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sorbitan Stearate, Trehalose, Cyclomethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Silica, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Arginine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sucrose Cocoate, Polysilicone-11, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Adenosine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Trideceth-6, Butylene Glycol, Pleurotus Ferulae/Panax Ginseng Berry Extract Ferment Filtrate, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Propanediol, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Water, Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Zanthoxylum Schinifolium Leaf Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Magnesium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Serine, Sucrose, Urea, Glycine, Calcium Chloride, Potassium Hydroxide, Ornithine, Sea Salt, Alanine, Magnesium Chloride, Threonine, Histidine, Aspartic Acid, Valine, Proline, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Nicotinoyl Sh-Pentapeptide-19, Galloyl Pentapeptide-33, Galloyl Nonapeptide-11, Digalloyl Tetrapeptide-19, Caffeoyl Tripeptide-1, Caffeoyl Sh-Octapeptide-4, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Dipotassium Phosphate, Lysine, Leucine, Tyrosine, Isoleucine, Magnesium Citrate, Glucosamine Hcl, Phenylalanine, Glutamic Acid, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Asparagine, Citrulline, Uric Acid, Methionine, Taurine, Tryptophan, Glutamine, Cysteine, Disodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum
Oryza Sativa Bran Water
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingHydrogenated Polydecene
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningMorinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveArtemisia Capillaris Extract
Akebia Quinata Extract
Skin ConditioningOzothamnus Diosmifolius Extract
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPassiflora Edulis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhyllostachys Nigra Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantDimethiconol
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyisobutene
Sorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingOryza Sativa Bran Water, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Niacinamide, Hydrogenated Polydecene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Water, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Akebia Quinata Extract, Ozothamnus Diosmifolius Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Passiflora Edulis Flower Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Phyllostachys Nigra Leaf Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Dimethiconol, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyisobutene, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCarbomer 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 CarbomerCyclohexasiloxane is a type of silicone more commonly known as D6. It is an emollient and solvent.
Cyclohexasiloxane is used to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. When applied to the skin, Cyclohexasiloxane evaporates and leaves behind a silky feel.
As an emollient, it can help the skin feel soft and hydrated. It is also used to reduce frizz in hair products.
Learn more about CyclohexasiloxaneCyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 NiacinamideWater. 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