What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Collagen Amino Acids
Moisturising
N-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Tetrapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Betaine
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
PCA
Humectant
Serine
Masking
Alanine
Masking
Lysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Colloidal Platinum
Antimicrobial
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Glycine
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hyaluronate, Collagen Amino Acids, N-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate, Tetrapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Arginine, Betaine, Allantoin, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, PCA, Serine, Alanine, Lysine Hcl, Threonine, Proline, Hyaluronic Acid, Colloidal Platinum, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Glutamic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Lactate, Glycine, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid
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-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 GlycolPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolWater. 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
