What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Bifida Ferment Extract
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantBetaine
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Aspergillus/Rice Ferment Extract
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sorbitol
Humectant
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Laminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Bifida Ferment Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aspergillus/Rice Ferment Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sorbitol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Arginine, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Oleate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Phosphate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Acer Saccharum Sap
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Tripropylene Glycol
Antioxidant
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Water
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTheobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Pvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcer Rubrum Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion Stabilising
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Surfactin
CleansingVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGlucose
Humectant
Rutin
Antioxidant
Phragmites Communis Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Trifolium Pratense Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phaseolus Lunatus Seed Extract
EmollientAcer Saccharum Sap, Glycerin, Tripropylene Glycol, Polyglycerin-3, Betaine, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Silica, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Carbomer, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Tromethamine, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Propanediol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Adenosine, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Acer Rubrum Bark Extract, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Stearic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Surfactin, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glucose, Rutin, Phragmites Communis Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Trifolium Pratense Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Tocopherol, Phaseolus Lunatus Seed Extract
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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-8Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinWater. 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
