What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialCentella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycereth-26
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris Extract
Skin ConditioningRaphanus Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingChlorophyllin-Copper Complex
AntioxidantCommiphora Myrrha Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningPerilla Frutescens Leaf Extract
MaskingYucca Schidigera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Glycereth-26, Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Caprylyl Glycol, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Medicago Sativa Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Brassica Campestris Extract, Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract, Cellulose Gum, Allantoin, Beta-Glucan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex, Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract, Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract, Yucca Schidigera Root Extract
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingWater
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingAgrimonia Eupatoria Extract
AstringentDisodium EDTA
Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract
MaskingLactobionic Acid
BufferingSilybum Marianum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningBroussonetia Kazinoki Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningCimicifuga Dahurica Root Extract
AntioxidantSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentMadecassoside
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingHydroxycinnamic Acid
Skin ConditioningRutin
AntioxidantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Water, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Carbomer, Arginine, Glycerin, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cellulose Gum, Adenosine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Agrimonia Eupatoria Extract, Disodium EDTA, Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract, Lactobionic Acid, Silybum Marianum Seed Extract, Beta-Glucan, Broussonetia Kazinoki Root Extract, Propolis Extract, Cimicifuga Dahurica Root Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Madecassoside, Citric Acid, Sodium Carbomer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, T-Butyl Alcohol, Hydroxycinnamic Acid, Rutin
Alternatives
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 AdenosineBeta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanButylene 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 GlycolCellulose Gum is a water-soluble polymer that comes from cellulose. It is used to change the texture of a product and to help stabilize emulsions.
As an emulsifier, cellulose gum specifically thicken the texture of water-based products.
This ingredient is considered hypoallergenic and non-toxic. Cellulose Gum can be found in cosmetics, food, and other household goods such as paper products.
Learn more about Cellulose GumEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolWe don't have a description for Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract yet.
Water. 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