What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSqualane
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantEthyl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAlbatrellus Confluens Extract
HumectantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantOrobanche Rapum Extract
Skin ProtectingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantDiutan Gum
Cetearyl Olivate
Retinal
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningMalic Acid
BufferingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Diheptyl Succinate, Gluconolactone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Sodium PCA, Saccharide Isomerate, Ethyl Macadamiate, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Albatrellus Confluens Extract, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Orobanche Rapum Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Diutan Gum, Cetearyl Olivate, Retinal, Phospholipids, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Malic Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
Water
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantBoswellia Serrata Resin Extract
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSucrose Dilaurate
EmollientSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Umbelliformis Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Lecithin
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTropolone
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantBakuchiol
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Oleate Citrate
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
BufferingGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPolyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantWater, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Maltodextrin, Sucrose Dilaurate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Pisum Sativum Extract, Artemisia Umbelliformis Extract, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Lecithin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tropolone, Retinol, BHT, Retinyl Palmitate, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Bakuchiol, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Lactic Acid, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl Acetate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ferulic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
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-8Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePropanediol 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 Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol 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