What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMenthol
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningMenthyl Lactate
MaskingMentha Arvensis Extract
MaskingPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningCymbopogon Nardus Oil
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Basilicum Oil
MaskingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHarungana Madagascariensis Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Meal Extract
SoothingCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantGlutathione
Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Carbomer, Menthol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Adenosine, Menthyl Lactate, Mentha Arvensis Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Cymbopogon Nardus Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Oil, Caffeine, Sodium Phytate, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Harungana Madagascariensis Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Avena Sativa Meal Extract, Collagen Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glutathione, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
EmulsifyingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientVegetable Oil
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientVinyldimethicone
Cyclohexasiloxane
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingJojoba Esters
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantDimethicone/Phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientCucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingCucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningPhaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Vegetable Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Vinyldimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Jojoba Esters, Hydroxyacetophenone, Dimethicone/Phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Disodium EDTA, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Cucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Retinol, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Limonene, Linalool
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
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerAdenosine 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 AdenosineArginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineButylene 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 GlycolCorallina Officinalis Extract is from the red seaweed, Corallina Officinalis. This seaweed is found all over the world but is most common in the rocky shores of Great Britain and Ireland.
Corallina Officinalis Extract contains antioxidant and emollient properties.
Extracted polysaccharides, galactose and xylose, in red algae showed antioxidant activity. Antioxidants help with anti-aging by neutralizing free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules may damage your skin cells and DNA. Galactose is also a PHA.
Corallina Officinalis is structurally similar to coral due to its high calcium content.
Learn more about Corallina Officinalis ExtractCurcuma Longa Root Extract is from the spice, turmeric. Besides being a healthy and delicious spice, turmeric also has plenty of skincare benefits. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-microbial properties.
Turmeric contains curcumin, an antioxidant. Antioxidants help neutralize unstable free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules may damage your skin's cells and DNA. Curcumin may help with anti-aging.
Curcumin also has anti-inflammatory properties and can help soothe skin and reduce irritation. On top of that, curcumin has been shown to help prevent hyperpigmentation from sun damage.
The anti-microbial property of turmeric can make it effective in treating acne. This property has also been shown to help regulate the production of sebum.
Learn more about Curcuma Longa Root ExtractGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is a small phenolic molecule that earns its place in a formulas as an antioxidant and preservative booster.
As a phenol, it is able to neutralize free radicals to protect both the product and the skin from oxidative stress.
Though it can't kill microbes on its own, it works as a good supporting agent when combined with other preservatives like Phenoxyethanol or 1,2-Hexanediol.
This ingredient naturally occurs as piceol in Norwegian spruce needles (~0.4-1.1% dry weight and in cloudberries). Though the cosmetic-grade material is synthesized for purity and consistency.
You'll usually see it used at low levels and suppliers recommend up to 1% added to a water phase.
Safety testing was done at concentrations like 0.05% in SPF products and 0.5% in a Human Repeated Insult Patch Test. The safety evidence is assuring; this ingredient is safe for cosmetics in current use and also holds safety status as a food flavoring as well.
An honest caveat: the "soothing" and "anti-inflammatory" claims come mostly from supplier marketing rather than published clinical trials. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review's own literature search found no useful efficacy studies on this ingredient.
So the antioxidant and preservative-boosting roles are the well supported ones while the calming benefit is plausible but thinly evidenced.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-irritation multitasker that quietly helps a formula stay fresh and stable.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract is from the Neem tree. Neem trees originate from India.
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
The flowers of this tree are lilac colored.
Learn more about Melia Azadirachta Flower ExtractMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract is extract from the neem plant.
The leaves of this tree contain flavonoids and polyphenols. These two compounds are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. Further research is needed as to their effects when applied on skin.
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract comes from the Holy Basil plant. Holy Basil is native to India.
Holy Basil is rich in antioxidants due to its high romarinic acid, ferulic acid, and rutin content. This gives it skin brightening and soothing properties.
While Holy Basil has many claims to help fight acne, more research is needed.
One thing to note is the presence of tannins; tannins are naturally found in nature. However, this compound may be skin-sensitizing.
Learn more about Ocimum Sanctum Leaf ExtractPropanediol 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 PropanediolWater. 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