What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientEthoxydiglycol
HumectantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientAlanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningFucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentWater, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ethoxydiglycol, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Allantoin, Carbomer, Panthenol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Polyacrylate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPyrus Malus Fiber
AbrasivePEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPentapeptide-18
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-37
Skin ConditioningChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Extract
MaskingSoluble Collagen
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentRubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentCoffea Robusta Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentVitis Vinifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentMorinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Fruit
AstringentAristotelia Chilensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBrassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Pyrus Malus Fiber, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Pentapeptide-18, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-37, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Soluble Collagen, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Coffea Robusta Seed Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Leaf Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit, Aristotelia Chilensis Fruit Extract, Polysorbate 20, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Citric Acid
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-8Butylene 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 GlycolCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl 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 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