What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasivePropanediol
SolventPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
EmulsifyingOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHelichrysum Italicum Flower Oil
MaskingHelichrysum Italicum Flower/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHelichrysum Italicum Extract
AntiseborrhoeicCamelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientAcmella Oleracea Extract
Skin ProtectingEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientMyrtus Communis Oil
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningEscin
TonicJojoba Esters
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSucrose Palmitate
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Glyceryl Linoleate
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingWater, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Helichrysum Italicum Flower Oil, Helichrysum Italicum Flower/Stem Extract, Helichrysum Italicum Extract, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Myrtus Communis Oil, Adenosine, Escin, Jojoba Esters, Sodium Polyacrylate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Cetyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sucrose Palmitate, Disodium EDTA, Glyceryl Linoleate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantHydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPropylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasivePropanediol
SolventPolysilicone-11
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDi-C12-13 Alkyl Malate
EmollientVaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingBis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCeteareth-20
CleansingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Lactate
BufferingPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingBoron Nitride
AbsorbentDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Niacinamide, Alcohol Denat., Propylene Glycol, Silica, Propanediol, Polysilicone-11, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Di-C12-13 Alkyl Malate, Vaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Carbomer, Ceteareth-20, Caffeine, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lactate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Adenosine, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Boron Nitride, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polysorbate 20, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Chlorphenesin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol 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 PropanediolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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