This smoothing serum is formulated around Niacinamide to refine skin texture and fade the look of dark spots.
This anti-aging ampoule is formulated around Copper Tripeptide-1 to soften the look of wrinkles and strengthen the skin barrier.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Xylitol
Humectant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
C12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Sponge
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Fructose
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Tromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
ChelatingBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Cellulose
Absorbent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xylitol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, C12-14 Alketh-12, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Squalane, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Glucose, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Carbomer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Allantoin, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Panthenol, Trehalose, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Beta-Glucan, Ascorbic Acid, Cellulose, Tocopherol, Polyglutamic Acid, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingAcetyl Sh-Hexapeptide-5 Amide Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Swertia Chirata Extract
HumectantGlycine
Buffering
Serine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Leucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
Masking
Lysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingHexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Tripeptide-32
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Flavescens Root Extract
Antioxidant
Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract
Antimicrobial
Phenylalanine
Masking
Valine
MaskingProline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Methionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
Antioxidant
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Angelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Morus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Opposita Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel FormingPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
Emulsifying
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPolyglyceryl-6 Oleate
Emulsifying
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Propylene Carbonate
SolventCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Phytate
ChelatingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Chloride
MaskingWater, Dicaprylyl Ether, Butylene Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Glycine Soja Protein, Acetyl Sh-Hexapeptide-5 Amide Acetate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Swertia Chirata Extract, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Hexapeptide-9, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-11, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tripeptide-32, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Phenylalanine, Valine, Proline, Threonine, Aspartic Acid, Isoleucine, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine, Dextrin Palmitate, Superoxide Dismutase, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Adenosine, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Dioscorea Opposita Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Propylene Carbonate, Cellulose Gum, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Sodium Phytate, Caprylyl Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Maltodextrin, Sodium Chloride
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 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 GlycerinSodium Phytate is the sodium salt of Phytic acid, a compound that plants store phosphorus in. It's the plant-derived alternative to ingredients like Disodium EDTA.
In skincare, this ingredient is a chelator that grabs onto trace metal ions like iron and copper that sneak into formulas through water/raw materials.
Those metals speed up oxidation so binding them keeps oils, fragrance, and actives from going off, stops color changes, and helps the preservative system work harder.
Survey data shows usage levels range from 0.0099%-0.5% in leave-on products, 0.025%-0.3% in rinse-off, and up to 0.05% in eye-area products. Suppliers typically recommend a range between 0.05-0.5%.
Learn more about Sodium PhytateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
