This hydrating toner is formulated around Niacinamide and Sodium Hyaluronate to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Lactococcus Ferment Lysate and Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventPEG-32
HumectantTriethyl Citrate
Masking
Methyl Gluceth-10
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDiethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventPEG-75
HumectantMaltooligosyl Glucoside
Skin ConditioningDisodium Succinate
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningViscum Album Leaf Extract
SoothingSuccinic Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
C12-13 Alkyl Glyceryl Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate
Phenylethyl Resorcinol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Lactococcus/Hyaluronic Acid Ferment Filtrate
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Aphanothece Sacrum Polysaccharide
AbsorbentSilica
Abrasive
Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Pentylene Glycol, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, PEG-32, Triethyl Citrate, Methyl Gluceth-10, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Trehalose, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carbomer, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, PEG-75, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Disodium Succinate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Potassium Hydroxide, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Viscum Album Leaf Extract, Succinic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, C12-13 Alkyl Glyceryl Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Copper Tripeptide-1, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyquaternium-51, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Lactococcus/Hyaluronic Acid Ferment Filtrate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Aphanothece Sacrum Polysaccharide, Silica
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Pentapeptide-18
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Acetylarginyltryptophyl Diphenylglycine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
Masking
Serine
Masking
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Histidine
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Trehalose
Humectant
Fructose
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Maltose
MaskingUrea
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingEthoxydiglycol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Glycerin, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Pentapeptide-18, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Acetylarginyltryptophyl Diphenylglycine, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Trehalose, Fructose, Glucose, Maltose, Urea, Sodium PCA, PCA, Sodium Lactate, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ethoxydiglycol, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Reviews
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-8Butylene 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 CarbomerGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is a crosslinked version of sodium hyaluronate. This just means it's linked into a 3D mesh network that lets it be more stable and sit on skin as a cohesive, gel-like film rather than sinking into skin.
A 2016 human skin study found crosslinked HA increased epidermal water content by 7.6% over the control group and reduced transepidermal water loss by 27.8%.
A follow-up clinical trial found that a topical crosslinked HA serum applied after fillers, microneedling, or chemical peels was well-tolerated and enhanced skin quality at 14 / 28 days.
More recent research suggests that concentrations as low as 0.03% can act as a penetration enhancer for other skincare actives.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. 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
