What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientCeresin
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveStearyl Dimethicone
EmollientC13-15 Alkane
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Niacinamide
SmoothingDimethicone
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPolymethyl Methacrylate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingC10-18 Triglycerides
EmollientButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientStearyl Heptanoate
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingJojoba Esters
EmollientStearyl Caprylate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningMenthyl PCA
HumectantDipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
AbrasiveTrehalose
HumectantBetaine
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
HumectantAcacia Decurrens Flower Wax
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPullulan
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentPropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPorphyridium Cruentum Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantFructan
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHexyldecanol
EmollientHydrolyzed Sponge
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Glycol
SolventGlucose
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSilica
AbrasivePalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPrunella Vulgaris Extract
AntioxidantMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialXanthine
Skin ConditioningAnemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCalcium Silicate
AbsorbentTocopherol
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningSodium Silicate
BufferingNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Ceresin, Synthetic Wax, Stearyl Dimethicone, C13-15 Alkane, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polymethyl Methacrylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Olivate, C10-18 Triglycerides, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Stearyl Heptanoate, Sodium Chloride, Jojoba Esters, Stearyl Caprylate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Menthyl PCA, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Trehalose, Betaine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Polyglycerin-3, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Caffeine, Ectoin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Pullulan, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Dextrin, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Fructan, Decyl Glucoside, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexyldecanol, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Benzyl Glycol, Glucose, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Silica, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Prunella Vulgaris Extract, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Xanthine, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Tripeptide-1, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Calcium Silicate, Tocopherol, Hyaluronic Acid, Hexapeptide-9, Sodium Silicate, Nonapeptide-1, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningButoxyethanol
MaskingArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-100 Stearate
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingParfum
MaskingYeast
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHexyldecanol
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cyclohexasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Butoxyethanol, Arginine, Carbomer, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Polysorbate 60, Beeswax, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Parfum, Yeast, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Disodium EDTA, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Malt Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Panthenol, Hexyldecanol, Ceramide NP, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
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 AdenosineCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeThis small molecule peptide has similar benefits to Argireline, the "botox" peptide.
According to the manufacturer, this peptide mimics snake venom to freeze muscles. This prevents muscle movement and contractions to prohibit the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.
While this seems promising, research is lacking in proving this ingredient to be as effective as botox.
Learn more about Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide DiacetateEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHexyldecanol is a fatty alcohol that is basically the "light" version of cetyl alcohol. It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that leaves a silky feeling on skin without tackiness.
Because it is stable across a wide pH range, it plays nicely with most actives. Typical use concentrations range from 1-10% and it can be either plant derived or synthetically created.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient and only a few cases of contact dermatitis have been reported.
The closest tested cousin of this ingredient, Octyldodecanol, did not support Malassezia growth in vitro. The Malassezia yeast responsible for fungal acne prefers straight-chain substrates whereas Hexyldecanol and Octyldodecanol are branched. While this ingredient is unlikely to cause fungal acne, be sure to patch test if you're unsure.
Learn more about HexyldecanolHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinHydrolyzed collagen has a misleading name because it is actually a mixture of various proteins/peptides. This ingredient has skin hydrating properties.
Collagen is the most abundant type of structural protein found in your body. In your skin, it is responsible for keeping it firm and youthful.
Hydrolyzed Collagen is created by breaking up proteins into smaller peptide bonds. These peptides act as humectants and emollients.
Humectants are great at holding onto water, keeping skin hydrated. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
There is ongoing debate about whether hydrolyzed collagen works because it increases skin hydration. Skin hydration is also linked to elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles.
Collagen or peptide ingredients can be used in the morning or night. They will not increase sun sensitivity, but you should always wear sunscreen during the day.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is a great hair conditioner as well.
This ingredient can be extracted from different sources, including:
Vegan collagen is derived from yeast, bacteria, or plant sources. Vegan collagen would go by a different INCI name, such as hydrolyzed soy protein.
The results are varied.
A study from 2021 found hydrolyzed collagen increased elasticity and improved wrinkles in 1,125 participants between age 20 and 70. Another study found increased skin thickness in participants between the ages of 45 to 59.
However, It is difficult to prove that oral collagen will end up working on your skin. Many of the studies using hydrolyzed collagen also add several vitamins and nutrients into the test mixture as well.
Further studies are needed at this time.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed CollagenWe don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Elastin yet.
This synthetic peptide is created from lysine, valine, and palmitic acid.
According to the manufacturer, in-vitro studies show tissue growth and collagen synthesis. Another in-vivo study found 60 volunteers saw a significant reduction in wrinkles after 84 days.
Due to its palmitic acid base, this peptide may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier.
It rounds up dirt, oil, and grime, so they can be rinsed off easily as a cleanser. On the emulsifier side, it keeps your formula smooth and well-mixed by playing peacekeeper for ingredients that don't naturally get along (like oil and water).
Because it has a C12 (lauric acid) fatty acid chain, this ingredient can potentially feed the Malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne. The Malassezia yeast prefers esters with C11-C24 fatty acids If you're prone to flare-ups, you might want to patch-test or skip this one.
This ingredient is an ester of lauric acid and Polyglycerin-10.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 LaurateWater. 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