What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingSodium Phytate
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Water, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Sodium Phytate, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Diethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventTrehalose
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Polydecene
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Methylpropanediol
SolventSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Cnidium Officinale Rhizome Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Biota Orientalis Leaf Extract
HumectantPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Coptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialScrophularia Buergeriana Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPiper Methysticum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
Emollient
Brassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Artemisia Capillaris Extract
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Trideceth-10
CleansingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantFructose
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Tromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Niacinamide, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Trehalose, Pentylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Panthenol, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Methylpropanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Cnidium Officinale Rhizome Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Biota Orientalis Leaf Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Beta-Glucan, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Coptis Japonica Extract, Scrophularia Buergeriana Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Piper Methysticum Root Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Glucose, Centella Asiatica Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Cholesterol, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Trideceth-10, Caramel, Fructose, Maltodextrin, Polysilicone-15, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
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
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-8Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerButylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
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 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 GlycerinMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolWater. 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
