What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPolyvinyl Alcohol
Gelatin
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPvp
Emulsion StabilisingEthyl Hexanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantTartaric Acid
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantParfum
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningAluminum Glycinate
AstringentHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientIsomerized Safflower Glycerides
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientLysolecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Gelatin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Pvp, Ethyl Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Titanium Dioxide, Tartaric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Caffeine, Betaine, Parfum, Adenosine, Aluminum Glycinate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Isomerized Safflower Glycerides, Polysorbate 80, Lecithin, Lysolecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglycerin-3
HumectantTapioca Starch
Aframomum Angustifolium Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Tocopheryl Phosphate
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPullulan
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningYeast Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Surfactin
CleansingSodium Citrate
BufferingLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingTin Oxide
AbrasiveAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Polyglycerin-3, Tapioca Starch, Aframomum Angustifolium Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Adenosine, Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Pullulan, Chlorphenesin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Yeast Ferment Extract, Parfum, CI 77891, Sodium Surfactin, Sodium Citrate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Tin Oxide, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Tocopherol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
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-8Adenosine 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 GlycerinParfum 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 “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” 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 ParfumSodium 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum