What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSucrose Stearate
EmollientWater
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientArginine
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBetaine
HumectantCannabis Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
HumectantVetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil
MaskingHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Sucrose Stearate, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Arginine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Carbomer, Betaine, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Panthenol, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Adenosine, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Hyaluronic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingAlcohol
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Isostearate
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientPolyacrylate-13
Stearic Acid
CleansingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantCentella Asiatica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc Ferment Lysate Filtrate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Isostearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Palmitic Acid, Polyacrylate-13, Stearic Acid, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Glucose, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Leuconostoc Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Beta-Glucan, 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 AdenosineBeta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanButylene 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 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 CarbomerDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolyisobuteneLactobacillus Ferment Lysate is a postbiotic with skin soothing properties. Postbiotics are inactive molecules produced by probiotic bacteria that provide skin benefits.
This ingredient comes from the secretion of the bacteria, Lactobacillus.
Studies show this ingredient can help calm redness and may help treat the signs of photoaging; however, the evidence is inconclusive and further studies are needed.
Lactobacillus Ferment is generally considered safe for fungal-acne prone skin. The key thing to understand is that it comes from bacteria, not yeast or fungus.
Yeast-derived ferments (like galactomyces) have been shown to activate a protein that's linked to Malassezia-related skin issues whereas lactobacillus doesn't have that problem.
Its byproducts also don't contain the types of fatty acids (C11-24 chain lengths) that Malassezia feeds on.
Learn more about Lactobacillus Ferment LysatePanthenol 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 PanthenolPropanediol 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