What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium DNA
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPolyglyceryl-4 Laurate
EmulsifyingNicotinamide Mononucleotide
AntioxidantPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingPrunella Vulgaris Extract
AntioxidantOpuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningFucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Acetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantOctyldodecanol
EmollientAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium DNA, Arginine, Carbomer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Adenosine, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Sodium Phytate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Prunella Vulgaris Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Disodium EDTA, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ascorbic Acid, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Octyldodecanol, Astaxanthin
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantXylitol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingNicotinamide Mononucleotide
AntioxidantTrehalose
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningC12-13 Alketh-9
EmulsifyingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingHydrolyzed Safflower Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMethyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Gardenia Taitensis Callus Extract
AntioxidantDextrin
AbsorbentStomach Extract
HumectantEthylene Brassylate
MaskingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning2-T-Butylcyclohexyl Acetate
MaskingPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPinus Pinaster Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMaranta Arundinacea Root Extract
SmoothingFibronectin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAdenosine Triphosphate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientBenzyl Glycol
SolventCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSoluble Proteoglycan
Skin ConditioningPEG-5 Rapeseed Sterol
CleansingSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit
EmollientPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientRaspberry Ketone
MaskingPhytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientLysolecithin
EmulsifyingOleic Acid
EmollientGlycosaminoglycans
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Chloride
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningEphedra Sinica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLycopene
AntioxidantCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningLinalyl Acetate
MaskingEthyl Linalool
MaskingEucalyptol
PerfumingMethylenedioxyphenyl Methylpropanal
PerfumingHexenyl Acetate
Masking2,4-Dimethyl-3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
Masking3-Hexenol
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Xylitol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, Trehalose, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Tromethamine, Allantoin, C12-13 Alketh-9, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Safflower Flower Extract, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Gardenia Taitensis Callus Extract, Dextrin, Stomach Extract, Ethylene Brassylate, Gluconolactone, Panthenol, 2-T-Butylcyclohexyl Acetate, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pinus Pinaster Leaf Extract, Maranta Arundinacea Root Extract, Fibronectin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Adenosine Triphosphate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Benzyl Glycol, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Soluble Proteoglycan, PEG-5 Rapeseed Sterol, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Juice, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit, Phenethyl Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Raspberry Ketone, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Cholesterol, Lysolecithin, Oleic Acid, Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Disodium Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Ephedra Sinica Root Extract, Lycopene, Collagen Extract, Linalyl Acetate, Ethyl Linalool, Eucalyptol, Methylenedioxyphenyl Methylpropanal, Hexenyl Acetate, 2,4-Dimethyl-3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, 3-Hexenol
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 AdenosineButylene 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideNicotinamide Mononucleotide, or NMN, is a nucleotide derived from niacin and a precursor to NAD+.
NAD+ is a coenzyme that is used for cellular energy production, DNA repair, and signaling protein activation. These all slow down as we age and as NAD+ levels decline.
In lab and animal studies, NMN has demonstrated:
This ingredient also breaks down into niacinamide even as it degrades.
There are two major caveats to this ingredient:
1) It is not stable and degrades quickly in water-based formulations.
2) Most of the skin data is still prelinical (cell and animal studies) and human clinical trials are still limited.
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier.
It rounds up dirt, oil, and grime, so they can be rinsed off easily as a cleanser.
On the emulsifier side, it keeps your formula smooth and well-mixed by playing peacekeeper for ingredients that don't naturally get along (like oil and water).
Because it has a C12 (lauric acid) fatty acid chain, this ingredient can potentially feed the Malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne. The Malassezia yeast prefers esters with C11-C24 fatty acids.
This ingredient is an ester of lauric acid and Polyglycerin-10.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 LaurateWater. 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