What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Caffeoyl Sh-Decapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Betaine
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Squalane
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Trehalose
Humectant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Morinda Citrifolia Extract
AstringentLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Taraxacum Platycarpum Extract
Skin ConditioningCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRheum Palmatum Root Extract
Astringent
Disodium EDTA
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Cymbopogon Martini Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Michelia Alba Flower Oil
Masking
Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
Masking
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phosphate
BufferingJasminum Officinale Oil
Masking
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen
Cleansing
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Alanine
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Caffeoyl Sh-Decapeptide-9, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Beeswax, Betaine, Glyceryl Stearate Se, C14-22 Alcohols, Squalane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Stearate, Trehalose, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Sodium Polyacrylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Propylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Adenosine, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Taraxacum Platycarpum Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Rheum Palmatum Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Michelia Alba Flower Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Phosphatidylcholine, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phosphate, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen, Polyglutamic Acid, Alanine, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingMadecassoside
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Alanyl Glutamine
HumectantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingTrisodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Water, Propanediol, Polyglycerin-3, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Madecassoside, Allantoin, Beta-Glucan, Alanyl Glutamine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Trisodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
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
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (also known as Argireline) is a synthetic hexapeptide that is often called a "topical Botox alternative".
It works by mimicking how Botox relaxes muscles; it interferes with the signaling process that tells your facial muscles to contract. This can help soften expression lines like forehead wrinkles or crow's feet over time.
The comparison to Botox does have limits because the molecule is water-loving and relatively large.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 has a hard time absorbing deeply enough through the skin's outer barrier to actually reach the muscles.
So whether it truly works the way Botox does at a biological level is still up for debate, but early clinical outcomes are fairly encouraging.
A 12 week human study of a multi-ingredient regimen containing this ingredient saw:
While some studies have observed improvements in wrinkle appearance, it is important to note that more consistent results are seen in multi-ingredient formulations (vs just Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 alone).
Some research studies also used higher concentrations (up to 10%) while this ingredient is usually found in concentrations up to 0.005% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about Acetyl Hexapeptide-8Butylene 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 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 OilThis oil is derived from the leaves of Eucalyptus Globulus, a type of Eucalyptus tree native to Australia.
Though this oil shows antibacterial and antioxidant activity, it is also a known skin-irritant due to its fragrance components.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil is the pressed oil of the Rose Geranium plant. It is volatile, meaning it evaporates off the skin.
Fragrant components of Rose Geranium include citronellol and geraniol. These may cause allergies and skin-sensitivity. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
The scent of Rose Geranium closely resembles traditional roses.
Learn more about Pelargonium Graveolens Flower OilWater. 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
