What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butylene Glycol
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantPEG-75
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientAlgae Extract
EmollientSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientMedicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
AbrasivePrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
AbrasiveEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Succinate
AntioxidantNiacin
SmoothingSesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningBupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantHelichrysum Arenarium Extract
AntiseborrhoeicAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingCitrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningAsparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCoriandrum Sativum Seed Oil
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantOleth-5
EmulsifyingCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingPunica Granatum Fruit Juice
MaskingGlycereth-26
HumectantSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
HumectantCrithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantSqualane
EmollientLinoleic Acid
CleansingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingMicrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningOleth-10 Phosphate
Sorbitol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
AntioxidantTourmaline
Sucrose
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientCoenzyme A
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningLinolenic Acid
CleansingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantStyrene/Vp Copolymer
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantTetraacetylphytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningMethyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingCholeth-24
EmulsifyingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantCeteth-24
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Lactate
BufferingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialOctadecenedioic Acid
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium PCA
HumectantNordihydroguaiaretic Acid
AntioxidantErgothioneine
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLinalyl Acetate
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, PEG-75, Alcohol Denat., Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Algae Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Yeast Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Helichrysum Arenarium Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Coriandrum Sativum Seed Oil, Glycerin, Oleth-5, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Juice, Glycereth-26, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, PEG-8, Squalane, Linoleic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Micrococcus Lysate, Oleth-10 Phosphate, Sorbitol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Tourmaline, Sucrose, Caffeine, Lecithin, Coenzyme A, Acetyl Glucosamine, Linolenic Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Styrene/Vp Copolymer, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tetraacetylphytosphingosine, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Choleth-24, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ceteth-24, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Lactate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Octadecenedioic Acid, Carbomer, Sodium PCA, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Ergothioneine, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Linalyl Acetate, Linalool, Limonene, CI 14700, CI 19140, CI 17200
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhytic Acid
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantWater, Niacinamide, Gluconolactone, Butylene Glycol, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Pentylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Salicylic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Phytic Acid, Adenosine, Sodium Benzoate, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, commonly known as Argireline or Acetyl Hexapeptide-3, is a popular peptide in skincare. Itâs often referred to as a âBotox-likeâ ingredient because it helps reduce muscle movement.
By relaxing these micro-movements, Argireline may help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. That said, itâs not as powerful as Botox, and research on its long-term effectiveness is still limited.
Beyond smoothing, Argireline may also support collagen production. Collagen is the protein that helps keep your skin firm, bouncy, and well-hydrated by strengthening the skin barrier.
So while Argireline isnât a miracle fix, it can be a helpful addition to a routine focused on both prevention and skin health.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Acetyl Hexapeptide-8Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Butylene 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinLaminaria Digitata Extract comes from the dark brown seaweed, Laminaria Digitata. It is a potent antioxidant, which also provides soothing and hydrating benefits.
Many studies show the antioxidant components of Laminaria Digitata to help with anti-inflammation.
This ingredient is rich in amino acids, proteins, sugars, and vitamins. Small amounts of minerals such as phosphorous, iron, potassium, and copper are also found the seaweed.
These components help hydrate and nourish your skin's natural barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier leads to more youthful looking skin and may help reduce the signs of aging.
Laminaria Digitata is found in the northern Atlantic Ocean.
What's the difference between algae and seaweed?
Algae is a broad term that includes seaweed. Not all algae is seaweed.
Methyl Gluceth-20 is a humectant. Humectants help draw moisture from the air to your skin.
It is created by combining polyethylene glycol with glucose.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Benzoate