What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycol
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialBetaine
HumectantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialDimethiconol
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingArginine
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHexanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCyclotetrasiloxane
EmollientArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningGold
Cosmetic ColorantCitrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTripropylene Glycol
AntioxidantPropylene Glycol
HumectantPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientAcetyl Octapeptide-3
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Betaine, Cyclohexasiloxane, Methyl Gluceth-20, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Silica, Octyldodeceth-16, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Chlorphenesin, Dimethiconol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Carbomer, Parfum, Arginine, Xanthan Gum, Hexanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Adenosine, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Caramel, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Gold, Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract, Tripropylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantBetaine
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHelichrysum Italicum Flower Water
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingAnhydroxylitol
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAngelica Archangelica Callus Extract
Skin ProtectingTromethamine
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOctanediol
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Phytate
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantHydroxystearic Acid
CleansingLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingSwertia Chirata Extract
HumectantCholeth-24
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningWater, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Betaine, Glycereth-26, Methyl Gluceth-20, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Helichrysum Italicum Flower Water, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Anhydroxylitol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Angelica Archangelica Callus Extract, Tromethamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xylitol, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Octanediol, Adenosine, Parfum, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Beta-Glucan, Tocopherol, Hydroxystearic Acid, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Maltodextrin, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Swertia Chirata Extract, Choleth-24, Ceramide NP
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 AdenosineBetaine 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 GlycolDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycereth-26 is a synthetic ingredient and polyethylene glycol ether of Glycerin. Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin and helps keep your skin moisturized.
It is a humectant and helps add texture to products. It can make your product thicker.
As a humectant, it helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps your skin stay hydrated.
Learn more about Glycereth-26Glycerin (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 GlycerinMethyl Gluceth-20 is a humectant. Humectants help draw moisture from the air to your skin.
It is created by combining polyethylene glycol with glucose.
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumWater. 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