This anti-aging eye moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Adenosine to soften the look of wrinkles.
This anti-aging eye moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Sodium DNA 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
HumectantPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientMethyl Hydrogenated Rosinate
PerfumingNiacinamide
SmoothingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycereth-26
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingPolyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Malt Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract
Skin ProtectingDextrin
AbsorbentDisodium EDTA
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Glycerophosphate
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPotassium Magnesium Aspartate
BufferingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantTabebuia Impetiginosa Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientWater, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Methyl Hydrogenated Rosinate, Niacinamide, Polysorbate 60, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycereth-26, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sorbitan Stearate, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Hydrolyzed Malt Extract, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract, Dextrin, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Glycerophosphate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Magnesium Aspartate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Tabebuia Impetiginosa Bark Extract, Collagen Extract, Hydrolyzed Elastin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantOctyldodecanol
EmollientCocoglycerides
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
EmulsifyingJojoba Esters
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPolyglycerin-3
HumectantSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingVinyldimethicone
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate-13
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Sodium DNA
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantEthoxydiglycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantGlutathione
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientDextrin
AbsorbentPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantChlorella Ferment
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Extensin
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialSaururus Chinensis Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning2,3-Butanediol
HumectantRice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCaviar Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningLepidium Meyenii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningPearl Extract
AntioxidantPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientRose Extract
Skin ConditioningTuber Melanosporum Extract
HumectantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin ConditioningArginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningPinene
MaskingTerpineol
MaskingCitronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingDimethyl Phenylethyl Carbinyl Acetate
PerfumingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Octyldodecanol, Cocoglycerides, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Jojoba Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglycerin-3, Sorbitan Stearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Arginine, Carbomer, Parfum, Vinyldimethicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cetyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Sodium Polyacrylate, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Polyacrylate-13, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Disodium EDTA, Sodium DNA, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Beta-Glucan, Tocopherol, Ethoxydiglycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Lecithin, Dextrin, Polysorbate 20, Maltodextrin, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Chlorella Ferment, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Asiatic Acid, Retinol, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Extensin, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Saururus Chinensis Extract, Ceramide NP, 2,3-Butanediol, Rice Ferment Filtrate, Phytosterols, Cholesterol, Caviar Extract, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Ns, Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract, Propolis Extract, Pearl Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Rose Extract, Tuber Melanosporum Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Retinal, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Ceramide EOP, Pinene, Terpineol, Citronellol, Linalool, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Limonene, Linalyl Acetate, Dimethyl Phenylethyl Carbinyl Acetate, Citrus Limon Peel Oil
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 GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDextrin is a starch-derived polysaccharide. It's made by partially breaking down corn, potato, or other plant starches.
Think of it as "half-processed" starch; it's less complex than the original but not fully broken down into sugar like maltodextrin.
In cosmetics, it mainly functions as a bulking agent, viscosity controller, binder, and absorbent. It helps thicken products, stabilize powders, and get certain textures a less "wet" feel.
This ingredient has a pretty solid safety profile; it's recognized as a safe food additive and its large molecular size means it doesn't meaningfully penetrate skin.
Human repeat insult patch tests using a rinse-off facial product containing 42.69% dextrin found no skin irritation or sensitization in 54 subjects.
Typical real-world usage is much lower: usually under 1% as a texture modifier and up to 40% in masks (rinse off products use less).
Learn more about DextrinDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHydrogenated 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 NiacinamidePolyacrylate-13 is a type of acrylate polymer. Acrylate polymers are commonly used as adhesives in cosmetics.
Polyacrylate-13 creates a film to protect the skin. It is also used to thicken and stabilize a product. It works by making water a gel-like consistency. This gel consistency helps suspend particles.
Polyacrylate-13 is a copolymer of acrylic acid, acrylamide, sodium acrylate, sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate monomers
Learn more about Polyacrylate-13Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate isn't fungal acne safe.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateSorbitan Stearate is an emulsifier made by reacting sorbitol with stearic acid.
It's mostly used to keep oil and water mixed so your formulas stay smooth and stable.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review has found 4% of this ingredient in repeat-insult patch tests on humans to be non-sensitizing. There is a caveat that some reactions have shown up in patients with damaged or diseased skin.
Because it is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it falls into the C11-24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize. This means this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan StearateTremella Fuciformis Extract comes from the tremella fuciformis mushroom, also known as snow mushroom or white jelly mushroom.
The snow mushroom has moisturizing and antioxidant properties.
Snow mushroom is rich in polysaccharides, giving it moisturizing benefits. As a humectant, snow mushroom helps draw moisture from the air to the skin. Polysaccharides are able to mimic our skin's natural carbohydrates to help the skin retain water.
Snow mushroom has been shown to help with anti-aging due to its antioxidants. It increases the presence of superoxide dismutase in our brain and liver. Superoxide is a by-product of oxygen metabolism. It left unregulated, superoxide causes cell damage. Thus, superoxide dismutase acts as an antioxidant to protect our living cells.
Another study from 2016 showed snow mushroom extract blocks the skin from creating melanin when exposed to UVB. Thus, it may help protect against the signs of aging from sun exposure. However, more studies are needed to confirm this. Another study from 2021 found snow mushroom to protect against UVA damage as well.
This white mushroom is native to Asian countries such as China, Korea, Japan, and Thailand. It is a common ingredient in traditional Chinese cuisine and medicine.
Learn more about Tremella Fuciformis ExtractWater. 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