What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Oxygen
Skin ConditioningAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
Antioxidant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Pentapeptide-18
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Stearic Acid, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caffeine, Cetyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Glycerin, Oxygen, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Pentapeptide-18, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Panthenol, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Acetic Acid
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Phaseolus Angularis Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingDarutoside
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Acmella Oleracea Extract
Skin ProtectingCaprooyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Fragaria Ananassa Seed Oil
Antioxidant
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-50
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Dextran
Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPassiflora Incarnata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Saccharomyces/Malus Pumila Fruit Ferment Filtrate
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Punica Granatum Extract
AstringentWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Phaseolus Angularis Seed Extract, Citric Acid, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Darutoside, Stearic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Fragaria Ananassa Seed Oil, Ectoin, Caffeine, Sh-Polypeptide-50, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Dextran, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Passiflora Incarnata Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Saccharomyces/Malus Pumila Fruit Ferment Filtrate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum Extract
Reviews
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-8Caffeine is a naturally occurring plant compound found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa pods, and guarana.
As an antioxidant, caffeine protects your skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and envionrmnetal stressors.
Early research also shows that caffeine can help calm redness, soothe irritated skin, and support hair growth by stimulating microcirculation in the scalp.
You might have seen eye creams marketing caffeine as a depuffing ingredient. This is because it is a vasoconstrictor meaning it can temporarily constrict blood vessels, though clinical evidence for this specific use is still limited.
Most skincare products contain this ingredient at concentrations between 1-6%. It is able to penetrate skin easily regardless of skin type or thickness.
Just so you know, a very small number of case reports describe caffeine-induced allergy. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing for the majority of people.
Learn more about CaffeineCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil comes from a green tea plant native to China. It is closely related to Camellia sinensis. Both plants have very similar properties. This plant also has similar properties to olive oil.
This ingredient is rich in oleic acid. This makes it an effective moisturizer. By creating a thin film on the skin, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil traps moisture within. This helps keep your skin smooth and hydrated.
The antioxidant and soothing properties of this ingredient come from Vitamin E and polyphenols.
The seed oil comes from the dried kernels of the plant.
Learn more about Camellia Oleifera Seed OilCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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
