What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPropanediol
SolventBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientChrysanthemum Morifolium Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Rice Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate
HumectantSaccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Glycerin, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Carbomer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tromethamine, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Chrysanthemum Morifolium Flower Extract, Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate, Tocopherol
Citrus Junos Fruit Water
MaskingVigna Radiata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventWater
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientBetaine
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Princeps Leaf Water
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingGlycine Soja Peptide
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Peptide
Skin ConditioningGlycine Max Polypeptide
Skin ConditioningTriticum Aestivum Peptide
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAlisma Orientale Tuber Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingSmilax Glabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantArtemisia Annua Extract
MaskingOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentStellaria Media Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Meal Extract
SoothingLepidium Meyenii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningGlycoproteins
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDextrin
AbsorbentTromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentPropanediol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCitrus Junos Fruit Water, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Methylpropanediol, Water, Niacinamide, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Methyl Trimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Betaine, Behenyl Alcohol, Adenosine, Panthenol, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Water, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Glycine Soja Peptide, Avena Sativa Peptide, Glycine Max Polypeptide, Triticum Aestivum Peptide, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lactococcus Ferment, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Alisma Orientale Tuber Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Smilax Glabra Root Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Artemisia Annua Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Stellaria Media Extract, Avena Sativa Meal Extract, Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Glycoproteins, Maltodextrin, Cellulose Gum, Dextrin, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid
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 AdenosineCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePanthenol 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-3 Methylglucose Distearate is a plant-derived emulsifier whose only job is to keep the oily and watery parts of a formula blended so it doesn't separate into layers.
It's compatible with a wide-range of active ingredients and especially good at making emulsions survive heat/freeze cycles.
Typical use concentrations range from 2-3% and it works across a pH of 4.5-8.5.
This ingredient has been found safe to use in cosmetics and has a low irritation profile.
Because it's build on stearic acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. Stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that falls within the range (C11-24) that Malassezia can feed on.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose DistearatePropanediol 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 PropanediolTromethamine (aka THAM) is a synthetic amino acid that shows up in skincare as a helper ingredient.
It functions as a pH adjuster to help neutralize acidic ingredients and set a formula's pH to the right spot.
This matters a lot because a lot of actives (like vitamin C) needs a specific pH to work well and feel comfortable on skin.
Concentration use ranges from 0.1-1.0% depending on the formula.
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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