This anti-aging serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Tranexamic Acid to soften the look of wrinkles and fade the look of dark spots.
This anti-aging lip moisturizer is formulated around Sodium DNA and Allantoin to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate lips.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingSqualane
EmollientTranexamic Acid
AstringentMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingBetaine
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventBisabolol
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
MaskingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Squalane, Tranexamic Acid, Methyl Trimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Betaine, Panthenol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Bisabolol, Propanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Beta-Glucan, Tocopherol, C14-22 Alcohols, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum
Polybutene
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientTribehenin
EmollientMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Silica Silylate
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCetylpyridinium Chloride
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-2 Oleate
EmulsifyingHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientSodium DNA
Skin ConditioningPyruvic Acid
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialAcetic Acid
BufferingPolybutene, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Tribehenin, Microcrystalline Wax, Sorbitan Isostearate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Silica Silylate, Allantoin, Water, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylene Glycol, Pyridoxine Hcl, Adenosine, Cetylpyridinium Chloride, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Sodium DNA, Pyruvic Acid, Lactic Acid, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Acetic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolSorbitan 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 IsostearateTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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