What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCichorium Intybus Root Oligosaccharides
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventBakuchiol
AntimicrobialJojoba Esters
EmollientLecithin
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningTetraacetylphytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningGlycosphingolipids
EmollientMauritia Flexuosa Pulp Powder
AbrasiveHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDiosmine
AntioxidantColeus Forskohlii Root Extract
EmollientAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantPolyglycerin-3
HumectantBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingSqualene
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Cichorium Intybus Root Oligosaccharides, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Propanediol, Bakuchiol, Jojoba Esters, Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Tetraacetylphytosphingosine, Glycosphingolipids, Mauritia Flexuosa Pulp Powder, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Diosmine, Coleus Forskohlii Root Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Cholesterol, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Glyceryl Stearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sorbitan Oleate, Glycine Soja Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Gluconolactone, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol, Polyglycerin-3, Beta-Sitosterol, Squalene, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Calcium Gluconate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingMethylpropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningAcmella Oleracea Extract
Skin ProtectingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningDiglycerin
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantResveratrol
AntioxidantArbutin
AntioxidantBisabolol
AntioxidantMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantDiamond Powder
AbrasiveCynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentTriticum Vulgare Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris Extract
Skin ConditioningRaphanus Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantGlucose
HumectantFructose
HumectantDextrin
AbsorbentGlycine
BufferingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantCysteine
AntioxidantMethionine
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
SolventPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Sorbitol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Caffeine, Diglycerin, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Resveratrol, Arbutin, Bisabolol, Medicago Sativa Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Diamond Powder, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Triticum Vulgare Sprout Extract, Brassica Campestris Extract, Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract, Fructooligosaccharides, Glucose, Fructose, Dextrin, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Threonine, Valine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Cysteine, Methionine, Carbomer, Propanediol, Potassium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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-8Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (formerly Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3) is a synthetic peptide. Its main job is to fight what researchers call "inflammaging".
"Inflammaging" is the slow, low-grade chronic inflammation that quietly breaks down collagen as we age.
This ingredient calms down a specific inflammation signal in your skin cells (called IL-6). When left unchecked, this signal triggers enzymes that break down collagen and elastin.
Clinical testing showed statistically significant improvements in:
Studies also found the more of this ingredient used, the more your skin produces Collagen I, fibronectin, and hyaluronic acid.
You'll likely see this ingredient paired with Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex for enhanced anti-aging effects.
A 3% concentration applied twice daily for two months showed meaningful skin rejuvenation results in clinical panels.
Fungal acne note:
Usually a palmitic acid component can feed Malassezia in unbound form, but here is is covalently bonded to the peptide. This means it is very difficult for Malassezia to access, and therefore very unlikely to cause fungal acne.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum