What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Methylpropanediol
SolventHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tromethamine
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Cyperus Rotundus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium DNA
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingTripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Isododecane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Isopropyl Myristate, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Polyacrylate, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Retinal, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Butylene Glycol, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Adenosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Tocopherol, Ceramide NP, Fructooligosaccharides, Cyperus Rotundus Root Extract, Sodium DNA, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hexapeptide-9
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGuaiazulene
Antimicrobial
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Squalane, Glycerin, Propanediol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Chloride, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Retinol, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Ethylhexylglycerin, Guaiazulene, Dimethyl Isosorbide, CI 60730
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-8Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
