What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTriethylhexanoin
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingCetearyl Olivate
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSimethicone
EmollientOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningNatto Gum
Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningCorchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingMyrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBetula Alba Bark Extract
MaskingRumex Crispus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCarnosine
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
HumectantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Octapeptide-3
HumectantNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Water, Butylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Triethylhexanoin, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Niacinamide, Sorbitan Olivate, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Simethicone, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Trehalose, Glyceryl Glucoside, Panthenol, Glutathione, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Natto Gum, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Rumex Crispus Root Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, Carnosine, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Nonapeptide-1, Carbomer, Arginine, Sodium Polyacrylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Tromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCoptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialPolyisobutene
Disodium EDTA
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cetearyl Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Carbomer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Adenosine, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Coptis Japonica Extract, Polyisobutene, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Cyanocobalamin, Sorbitan Oleate, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Pentylene Glycol, Collagen Extract, Sodium Phytate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Sodium Dna
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
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 GlycolCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Cetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also
Manufacturers use the name Olivem 1000. This ingredient has been found to preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria. This ingredient is grouped with Sorbitan Olivate under the name Olivem 1000.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateCopper Tripeptide-1 (GHK-Cu) is a skin repairing ingredient known for its ability to boost collagen, improve firmness, and support skin regeneration.
It is a complex made up of a naturally occurring peptide (glycine-histidine-lysine) and copper, an essential trace element.
While studying wound healing, researchers noticed GHK-Cu stimulated hair follicle enlargement and growth by keeping hair in its active growth phase longer. This has made it a promising ingredient for hair regrowth treatments.
Some people have reported increased facial hair. While GHK-Cu can make your hair follicles bigger, it usually doesn’t turn soft, barely-visible facial hairs into thick, dark ones.
Anecdotal reports suggest that overusing copper peptides might lead to premature aging due to excess free copper or enzyme imbalances. This claim isn’t backed by large-scale studies.
Unfortunately, there are limited human studies for this ingredient. While early results are promising, many studies are either small, in-vitro, or not rigorously controlled.
For example, there is a 1998 study that explored the effects of copper tripeptide, vitamin C, tretinoin, and melatonin on skin repair and collagen synthesis.
After one month, increased procollagen production was seen in 7 out of 10 participants using copper tripeptide (more than those using vitamin C, melatonin, or tretinoin.
While the study was exploratory, it offers early evidence that copper tripeptide may support collagen production. Larger, well-designed trials are still needed to confirm its potential and understand individual responses.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Copper Tripeptide-1Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
Manufacturers sell sorbitan olivate under the name OliveM 1000. OliveM 1000 a multifunctional ingredient. It is self-emulsifying. According to a manufacturer, OliveM 1000 does not disrupt natural skin biome.
Due to its olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water