What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Bran Water
Masking
Zinc Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
C12-13 Alkyl Glyceryl Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingTheobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Tocotrienols
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPanax Ginseng Extract
Antioxidant
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pfaffia Paniculata Root Extract
SoothingLilium Candidum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSuperoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Cyathea Medullaris Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Moringa Oil/Hydrogenated Moringa Oil Esters
Skin Conditioning
C18-36 Acid Triglyceride
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Ulva Lactuca Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycosaminoglycans
EmollientC18-36 Acid Glycol Ester
EmollientPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningUndecylenoyl Glycine
CleansingCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Oryza Sativa Bran Water, Zinc Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, C12-13 Alkyl Glyceryl Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tocotrienols, Bisabolol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Panax Ginseng Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sorbitan Laurate, Lysolecithin, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Pfaffia Paniculata Root Extract, Lilium Candidum Flower Extract, Superoxide Dismutase, Cyathea Medullaris Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Phospholipids, Moringa Oil/Hydrogenated Moringa Oil Esters, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Propanediol, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Ulva Lactuca Extract, Glycosaminoglycans, C18-36 Acid Glycol Ester, Panthenol, Allantoin, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Undecylenoyl Glycine, Capryloyl Glycine
Water
Skin ConditioningC13-15 Alkane
SolventSqualane
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Lauryl Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Magnesium Sulfate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Quaternium-90 Bentonite
Polyglyceryl-20 Octadecabehenate/Laurate
EmollientAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin Conditioning
Prolinamidoethyl Imidazole
Skin ProtectingArginine
Masking
Acmella Oleracea Extract
Skin ProtectingCoffea Arabica Seed Oil
Masking
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract
Antioxidant
Tulipa Gesneriana Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPadina Pavonica Thallus Extract
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Fructose
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Dextran
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Octastearate
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantTriethyl Citrate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Zinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantWater, C13-15 Alkane, Squalane, Propanediol, Lauryl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate, Glycerin, Magnesium Sulfate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Polyglyceryl-20 Octadecabehenate/Laurate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Prolinamidoethyl Imidazole, Arginine, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Glyceryl Glucoside, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Tulipa Gesneriana Flower Extract, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Gluconolactone, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Sodium PCA, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Fructose, Maltodextrin, Dextran, Glyceryl Behenate, Polyglyceryl-6 Octastearate, Tocopherol, Stearic Acid, Calcium Gluconate, Triethyl Citrate, Citric Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Zinc Stearate
Reviews
Alternatives
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 (also known as Argireline) is a synthetic hexapeptide that is often called a "topical Botox alternative".
It works by mimicking how Botox relaxes muscles; it interferes with the signaling process that tells your facial muscles to contract. This can help soften expression lines like forehead wrinkles or crow's feet over time.
The comparison to Botox does have limits because the molecule is water-loving and relatively large.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 has a hard time absorbing deeply enough through the skin's outer barrier to actually reach the muscles.
So whether it truly works the way Botox does at a biological level is still up for debate, but early clinical outcomes are fairly encouraging.
A 12 week human study of a multi-ingredient regimen containing this ingredient saw:
While some studies have observed improvements in wrinkle appearance, it is important to note that more consistent results are seen in multi-ingredient formulations (vs just Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 alone).
Some research studies also used higher concentrations (up to 10%) while this ingredient is usually found in concentrations up to 0.005% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about Acetyl Hexapeptide-8Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5 is a peptide that goes by another name, eyeseryl, due to claims that it can help reduce eye puffiness.
The manufacturer claims this ingredient reduces eye puffiness by:
An in-vivo study from the manufacturer found 95% of volunteers saw eye bag improvement by the end of the study.
Eye puffiness is caused by two major factors: fluid retention and fat.
Those with fluid retention may see improvement from using this ingredient. However, those with eye fat will need surgical intervention in order to get rid of puffiness.
Learn more about Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinBisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 EthylhexylglycerinThis oil comes from the outer layer (bran) of rice grains. It is packed with skin-friendly fatty acids to soften and condition the skin while supporting your moisture barrier.
What makes it stand out from other plant oils is its naturally high concentration of gamma-oryzanol, a potent antioxidant. This antioxidant has shown some UV-absorptive properties in research.
Other antioxidants found in this oil include tocopherols, tocotrienols, and ferulic acid.
According to manufacturers, this oil has a lightweight texture that absorbs nicely.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics and it has not shown to be a skin sensitizer in testing (unless you have a known rice allergy).
Due to the fatty acids (primarily Oleic Acid ~40%, Linoleic Acid ~30%, and some Palmitic Acid), this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
In vitro studies have shown that Oleic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
Learn more about Oryza Sativa Bran OilPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolTocopherol 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 Tocopherol
