What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantXylitylglucoside
HumectantArgania Spinosa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAnhydroxylitol
HumectantPolysilicone-11
Niacinamide
SmoothingDimethicone
EmollientXylitol
HumectantLaureth-12
EmulsifyingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLevulinic Acid
PerfumingP-Anisic Acid
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientPelargonium Roseum Leaf Oil
PerfumingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingIsomalt
HumectantArgania Spinosa Sprout Cell Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Xylitylglucoside, Argania Spinosa Leaf Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Copper Tripeptide-1, Glyceryl Stearate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Polysilicone-11, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Xylitol, Laureth-12, Saccharide Isomerate, Xanthan Gum, Levulinic Acid, P-Anisic Acid, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Pelargonium Roseum Leaf Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Isomalt, Argania Spinosa Sprout Cell Extract, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingStearic Acid
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPinus Pinaster Bark Extract
AntioxidantGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingAcacia Seyal Gum Extract
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantHamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf Extract
AstringentAesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Dimethicone, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Panthenol, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Acacia Seyal Gum Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum
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-8Cetyl 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 AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeWater. 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