What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCalamine
AbsorbentMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantJasminum Officinale Flower Water
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingRibes Nigrum Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Methylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantOctyldodecanol
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientWater, Zinc Oxide, Cyclohexasiloxane, Caprylyl Methicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Propanediol, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Niacinamide, Methyl Trimethicone, Calamine, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Jasminum Officinale Flower Water, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Panthenol, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Polyquaternium-51, Beta-Glucan, Cyanocobalamin, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Octyldodecanol, Maltodextrin, Ceramide NP, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPropanediol
SolventIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningCedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingArtemisia Vulgaris Oil
PerfumingSalvia Sclarea Oil
MaskingJuniperus Communis Fruit Oil
MaskingFerula Galbaniflua Resin Oil
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-15
UV FilterTerephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingStearic Acid
CleansingIsododecane
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Erythritol
HumectantSorbitol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Dipropylene Glycol, CI 77891, Propanediol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Methyl Trimethicone, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Juniperus Communis Fruit Oil, Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Pentylene Glycol, Polysilicone-15, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Tromethamine, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Stearic Acid, Isododecane, Octyldodecanol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Erythritol, Sorbitol, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Glutathione, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Behenyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, CI 77492, CI 77491
Reviews
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 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 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 EthylhexylglycerinHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidMethyl Trimethicone is a type of silicone. It is a solvent and emulsifier.
Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
Methyl Trimethicone does not get absorbed into the skin.
Learn more about Methyl TrimethiconeNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Panthenol 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 PanthenolPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol 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