What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Camellia Japonica Flower Water
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin Conditioning
Faex
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Oil
Masking
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Hydrogenated Canola Oil
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Arginine
Masking
Maltooligosyl Glucoside
Skin ConditioningEscin
TonicXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Acmella Oleracea Extract
Skin ProtectingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Camelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Canola Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Phytic Acid
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Camellia Japonica Flower Water, Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Faex, Coffea Arabica Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Lauroyl Lysine, Silica, Hydrogenated Canola Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Arginine, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Escin, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Maltodextrin, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Carbomer, Adenosine, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Canola Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, Phytic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Mel
EmollientRoyal Jelly
Mannitol
Humectant
Cellulose
Absorbent
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Biosaccharide Gum-2
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Benzoate
Masking
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTin Oxide
Abrasive
Water, Glycerin, Polyglycerin-3, 1,2-Hexanediol, Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Pentylene Glycol, Mel, Royal Jelly, Mannitol, Cellulose, Chlorphenesin, Parfum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Propanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Tocopheryl Acetate, Maltodextrin, Adenosine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Triethyl Citrate, CI 77891, Sodium Benzoate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Metabisulfite, CI 77492, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77491, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Tin Oxide
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 AdenosineCaprylic/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 TriglycerideChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinGlycerin (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 GlycerinMaltodextrin is a plant-derived carbohydrate made by breaking down starch (usually from corn, potato, or rice). In cosmetic formulas, it's a multitasking absorbent, emulsion stabilizer, and skin conditioner.
This ingredient is mostly used to stabilize emulsions and improve the powdery, non-greasy feel of products (like dry shampoos).
Safety-wise, this ingredient is pretty solid; it's even recognized as a food additive. Both animal and clinical studies found no adverse effects at the levels used in cosmetics.
Industry data shows this ingredient is used up to 45.7% in spray products and up to 33% in powder products.
Learn more about MaltodextrinPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol 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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateWater. 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
