What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientPropanediol
SolventSqualane
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientPinus Thunbergii Branch/Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingEthyl Hexanediol
SolventTricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientPoria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientHoney Extract
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientPEG-5 Rapeseed Sterol
CleansingCholeth-24
EmulsifyingCeteth-24
CleansingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Dahurica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenophora Stricta Root Extract
HumectantCnidium Officinale Rhizome Extract
Skin ConditioningCoptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialForsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract
AntioxidantFritillaria Verticillata Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSchizonepeta Tenuifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPapaver Rhoeas Petal Extract
EmollientTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingDextrin
AbsorbentCetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Glyceryl Linoleate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlyceryl Arachidonate
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialBHT
AntioxidantBenzophenone-5
UV AbsorberChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Propanediol, Squalane, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Panthenol, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Pinus Thunbergii Branch/Leaf Extract, Ethyl Hexanediol, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Honey Extract, Butylene Glycol, Beta-Sitosterol, Brassica Campestris Sterols, PEG-5 Rapeseed Sterol, Choleth-24, Ceteth-24, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Angelica Dahurica Root Extract, Adenophora Stricta Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Rhizome Extract, Coptis Japonica Extract, Forsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract, Fritillaria Verticillata Bulb Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Schizonepeta Tenuifolia Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Papaver Rhoeas Petal Extract, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Beeswax, Dextrin, Cetyl Phosphate, Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Glyceryl Linoleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Polysorbate 20, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Arachidonate, Adenosine, Sorbitan Isostearate, Alcohol Denat., BHT, Benzophenone-5, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum
Snail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingWater
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingStearic Acid
CleansingBetaine
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMyristic Acid
CleansingCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningSnail Secretion Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Water, Palmitic Acid, Arginine, Carbomer, Stearic Acid, Betaine, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, Myristic Acid, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
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 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 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 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 GlycerinPalmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources.
In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
Interestingly, topically applied Palmitic Acid can be elongated into longer chain fatty acids and ceramides. A 2019 study found low levels of Palmitic Acid lead to slower development of cells, suggesting it plays a role in keeping your skin's renewal process on track.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel determined it safe as used in cosmetics at concentrations up to 13%. It is non-irritating and non-sensitizing in clinical studies.
The culprit behind fungal acne, the Malassezia yeast, feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11-C24. Palmitic Acid, at C16, falls right into that sweet spot.
In vitro studies have shown that Palmitic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
It's worth noting that what feeds yeast in a lab doesn't necessarily feed it on your face since formulation and your skin's chemistry play a bigger role.
Learn more about Palmitic AcidPanthenol 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 PanthenolStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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