What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Avena Strigosa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMyristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Tromethamine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Biotin, Caffeine, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-4, Lecithin, Avena Strigosa Seed Extract, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Serine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Leucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
Masking
Lysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Threonine
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Methionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
Antioxidant
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Betaine
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Butylene Glycol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Proline, Valine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Beta-Glucan, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Allantoin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol
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
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 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneWater. 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
