What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
N-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Acetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Raphanus Sativus Root Extract
AstringentBacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningSodium Glucuronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Magnesium Sulfate
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Propanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Oligopeptide-1, N-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Glutamine, Copper Tripeptide-1, Raphanus Sativus Root Extract, Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate, Sodium Glucuronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Magnesium Sulfate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Lecithin, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Methylsilanol Hydroxyproline Aspartate
Skin ConditioningSiloxanetriol Alginate
Skin ConditioningC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Lactate
EmollientOctyldodecyl Stearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Bis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBHT
Antioxidant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Acetyl Citrull Amido Arginine
Skin ProtectingBetaine
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetyl Palmitate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Methylsilanol Hydroxyproline Aspartate, Siloxanetriol Alginate, C12-16 Alcohols, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Lactate, Octyldodecyl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Bis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Palmitic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Ceramide NP, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phospholipids, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caffeine, Lecithin, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Propylene Glycol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Alcohol Denat., Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, BHT, Sodium PCA, Acetyl Citrull Amido Arginine, Betaine, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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-8Butylene 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 LecithinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Water. 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
