What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Diglycerin
Humectant
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Silybin
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine
Skin Conditioning
Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-37
Skin Conditioning
Benzoyl Dipeptide-18 D-Phenylalanyl Arginyl D-Tryptophan Dipropylamide Mesylate
Skin Conditioning
N-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-72 Amide
Skin Conditioning
Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-28
Skin Conditioning
Hexanoyl Dipeptide-3 Norleucine Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Tetrapeptide-30
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Chloride
Sodium Phytate
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingIsomalt
HumectantDextran
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Diglycerin, Inulin, Silybin, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Acetyl Hexapeptide-37, Benzoyl Dipeptide-18 D-Phenylalanyl Arginyl D-Tryptophan Dipropylamide Mesylate, N-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-72 Amide, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-28, Hexanoyl Dipeptide-3 Norleucine Acetate, Tetrapeptide-30, Magnesium Chloride, Sodium Phytate, Caprylyl Glycol, Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Isomalt, Dextran, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Ethyl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Moringa Oil/Hydrogenated Moringa Oil Esters
Skin Conditioning
Tricaprylin
Perfuming
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-11
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
N-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Malic Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Acetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Phosphoric Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Jojoba Esters, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ethyl Macadamiate, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Moringa Oil/Hydrogenated Moringa Oil Esters, Tricaprylin, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, N-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Ceramide Ng, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract, Tocopherol, Malic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lecithin, Acetyl Glutamine, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Silica, Sodium Lactate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phosphoric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This peptide is a lab-made "messenger peptide" that differs from other peptides; it's mostly known for nudging skin pigmentation upward rather than smoothing wrinkles like other peptides.
It works by mimicing parts of the alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone signaling pathway by telling pigment making cells (melanocytes) to make more melanin.
Our bodies produce melanin in response to UV so this peptide is marketed for supporting tanning and has also been explored in hypopigmentation contexts like vitiligo.
Though there is some human data, it's doesn't have the best "single-ingredient" evidence.
For example, an 8 week clinical study in middle-aged Chinese women found using an essence with 0.02% acetyl hexapeptide-1 + retinol improved photoaging related measures. Since it was a combo product, you can't attribute the results to the peptide alone.
In vitiligo research a topical cream with acetyl hexapeptide-1 plus other actives was reported to support repigmentation in some areas. Again, this was a combo product so it's not a pure “acetyl hexapeptide-1 did this” conclusion.
If you're trying to fade hyperpigmentation like melasma and sun spots, this may not be the ingredient for you. Again, its generally positioned as a pro-pigment / tanning support peptide.
Peptides are usually well tolerated but be sure to patch test if you're cautious or have extra sensitive skin.
Learn more about Acetyl Hexapeptide-1Butylene 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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinN-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate is a peptide.
Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
