This barrier-repair essence is formulated around Centella Asiatica Leaf Water and Sodium DNA to strengthen the skin barrier and soften the look of wrinkles.
This anti-aging ampoule is formulated around Sodium DNA and Niacinamide to soften the look of wrinkles and strengthen the skin barrier.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin ConditioningSodium DNA
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventTripropylene Glycol
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantDiethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantWater
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
EmulsifyingNicotinamide Mononucleotide
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Betaine
HumectantSilybum Marianum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPoloxamer 407
EmulsifyingSalmon Egg Extract
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Phosphate
BufferingChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientDextrin
AbsorbentSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-3
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-62
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Leaf Water, Sodium DNA, Propanediol, Tripropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Water, Xanthan Gum, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Betaine, Silybum Marianum Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Poloxamer 407, Salmon Egg Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Madecassoside, Decyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Phosphate, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Maltodextrin, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Dextrin, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-3, Sh-Polypeptide-62
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium DNA
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Laurate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Sodium DNA
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium DNA, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arginine, Carbomer, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Betaine, Allantoin, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Adenosine, Centella Asiatica Extract, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Sodium DNA, Hyaluronic Acid, Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
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
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 DNA is an emerging anti-aging ingredient.
It is created by taking deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and purifying it with sodium hydroxide.
The DNA is extracted from several different animal sources, including: calf thymus, the gonadic tissue of a male sturgeon, or herring / salmon sperm.
You have probably seen this ingredient in anti-aging skincare. But what is it?
DNA is composed of nucleotides, or chemical building blocks. Nucleotides include adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C). Talk about a flashback to biology! Nucleosides are formed from these nucleotides.
The science behind Sodium DNA is based on an ingredient called Polydeoxyribonucleotide or PDRN.
PDRN are DNA fragments mainly extracted from the sperm cells of trout or salmon. Meaning, PDRN can be derived from Sodium DNA.
PDRN consists of chains of nucleotides and nucleosides mentioned above. They can range anywhere from 80 - 2000 pairs.
Studies show PDRN has the following properties:
Most of the research on PDRN has been done using injectable forms. That’s important, because PDRN is a large molecule and doesn’t absorb well through the skin. So if you’re applying it topically, the effects are likely to be much milder.
Still, topical Sodium DNA is emerging as a trendy anti-aging ingredient. It’s generally well-tolerated and offers good biocompatibility with human skin, making it a low-risk addition to most routines.
Further studies are needed to truly confirm this ingredients anti-aging ability (Remember, retinol has decades of research!).
Sodium DNA may be sourced from fish, animal tissue, or plants. Since this isn’t always disclosed, we recommend asking the brand directly if the ingredient’s origin is important to you.
Learn more about Sodium DNASodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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