This anti-aging serum is formulated around Adenosine to soften the look of wrinkles.
This anti-aging ampoule is formulated around Niacinamide and Arbutin to soften the look of wrinkles and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-8
HumectantPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientMannitol
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Methyl Methacrylate/Acrylonitrile Copolymer
CI 77480
Cosmetic ColorantAureobasidium Pullulans Ferment
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
Antioxidant
Magnesium Sulfate
Calcium Chloride
AstringentAcetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Manganese Sulfate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Zinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Polyglycerin-3, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG-8, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Polysorbate 20, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Caprylate, Mannitol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Isostearate, Methyl Methacrylate/Acrylonitrile Copolymer, CI 77480, Aureobasidium Pullulans Ferment, Resveratrol, Magnesium Sulfate, Calcium Chloride, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Manganese Sulfate, Tocopherol, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Zinc Sulfate, Ascorbyl Glucoside
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-6
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Rubus Fruticosus Leaf Extract
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Morus Nigra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Squalane
Emollient
Hydrolyzed DNA
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Urea
Buffering
Trehalose
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Serine
Masking
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingAlgin
MaskingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Pullulan
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingWater, PEG-6, Glycerin, Rubus Fruticosus Leaf Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Carbomer, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Morus Nigra Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Squalane, Hydrolyzed DNA, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Hexylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Adenosine, Urea, Trehalose, Pentylene Glycol, Arbutin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, Cholesterol, Serine, Oleic Acid, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Algin, Disodium Phosphate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Pullulan, Potassium Phosphate
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
Adenosine is a purine nucleoside that your body already makes in every cell. In skincare, it acts mainly as a skin conditioning and anti-aging agent.
The way it works is fairly well mapped out:
Your skin has cells called fibroblasts that build collagen (the stuff that keeps skin firm and smooth). Adenosine basically flips a switch on these cells that tells them to get to work making more collagen and other proteins. These cells slow down on their own as skin ages, so Adenosine helps give them a little nudge to keep going.
The clinical backing is pretty solid too.
A blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 126 women aged 45-65 tested a 0.1% cream twice daily and found real improvements in crow's feet and frown lines using a precise 3D skin-mapping technique; these changes showed up by week 3 and held at 2 months.
A later study using Adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches reported gains in wrinkle depth, dermal density, elasticity, and hydration.
On concentrations, South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has set 0.04% as the approved functional anti-wrinkle level. You'll typically see this ingredient used somewhere in the 0.04-0.1% range since it works at low doses.
This ingredient has been found safe for cosmetics with the data showing no irritation or sensitization.
Overall, this is a great ingredient for any anti-aging routine and has no photosensitizing effect, so it suits both AM and PM use.
Learn more about AdenosineButylene 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 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 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 GlycerinPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Water. 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
