What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen Extract
Skin ProtectingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-2
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCalendula Officinalis Flower Water
MaskingRosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingTriticum Vulgare Germ Protein
EmollientHippophae Rhamnoides Water
MaskingCitrus Aurantifolia Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Chenopodium Quinoa Extract
Skin ConditioningPadina Pavonica Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTrehalose
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPropanediol Dicaprylate
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientPropanediol
SolventGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientBetaine
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningWater, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Hydrolyzed Collagen Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Squalane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-2, Panthenol, Beta-Glucan, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Calendula Officinalis Flower Water, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Protein, Hippophae Rhamnoides Water, Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Water, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Extract, Padina Pavonica Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Trehalose, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Arachidyl Glucoside, Sorbitan Olivate, Propanediol Dicaprylate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Propanediol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Betaine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Adenosine
Water
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDicaprylyl Carbonate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningCordyceps Sinensis Extract
AntioxidantGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingSpirodela Polyrhiza Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
MaskingCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientPolyisobutene
Sodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Propolis Extract, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Royal Jelly Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Spirodela Polyrhiza Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Glyceryl Glucoside, Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Polyisobutene, Sodium Carbomer, Glycerin, Allantoin, Adenosine, Glucose, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Tocopherol, Silica, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Beta-Carotene, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, Citral
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 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 AdenosineThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract comes from the root commonly known as carrot (the orange kind we eat!).
This extract contains beta-carotene, a pigment responsible for giving plants the orange color. Beta-carotene is a potent antioxidant. Antioxidants may help reduce the signs of aging.
Beta-carotene is the reason we turn orange if we eat too many carrots.
It should be noted coming into contact with the leaves of wild carrots can cause skin irritation. The sap causes phytophotodermatitis, or sensitivity exposed to sunlight.
This ingredient is created using the edible parts of the carrot.
Learn more about Daucus Carota Sativa Root ExtractEthylhexylglycerin 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 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 NiacinamidePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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