What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPolypropylsilsesquioxane
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantDiglycerin
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningCollagen
MoisturisingSoluble Collagen
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientCollagen Amino Acids
MoisturisingSodium Soy Hydrolyzed Collagen
Zinc Hydrolyzed Collagen
Skin ConditioningMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
SolventIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBixa Orellana Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantAtelocollagen
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningSalvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicHyacinthus Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBorago Officinalis Extract
EmollientCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris Extract
Skin ConditioningRaphanus Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBakuchiol
AntimicrobialAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningDipeptide-2
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientSalvia Officinalis Oil
MaskingRetinal
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Diglycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Collagen Extract, Collagen, Soluble Collagen, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Collagen Amino Acids, Sodium Soy Hydrolyzed Collagen, Zinc Hydrolyzed Collagen, Microcrystalline Wax, Propanediol, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Bixa Orellana Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Atelocollagen, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Medicago Sativa Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Brassica Campestris Extract, Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bakuchiol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Nonapeptide-1, Dipeptide-2, Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ceramide NP, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Retinal, Lecithin, Ascorbic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Stearate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingNylon-12
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingBoron Nitride
AbsorbentSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialArginine
MaskingCyclodextrin
AbsorbentHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
AbrasiveHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Squalane, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Caffeine, Ethylhexyl Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Polysorbate 20, Nylon-12, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Boron Nitride, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Caprylate, CI 77891, Sodium Metaphosphate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Arginine, Cyclodextrin, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Tin Oxide, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
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
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol 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 Water