What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Honey Extract
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAsiaticoside
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Honey Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Asiaticoside, Allantoin, Adenosine, Carbomer, Arginine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol
Helichrysum Italicum Flower Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Cichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingTremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Diamond Powder
Abrasive
Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Glycine
Buffering
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Leucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
Masking
Lysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Cysteine
Antioxidant
Methionine
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHelichrysum Italicum Flower Water, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Water, Panthenol, Squalane, Gluconolactone, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopherol, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Adenosine, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Beta-Glucan, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Diamond Powder, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Glycine, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Valine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Cysteine, Methionine, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Myristic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fructooligosaccharides, Carbomer
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 AdenosineArginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineButylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
