What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Olivate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Tromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCoptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialPolyisobutene
Disodium EDTA
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Collagen Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sodium DNA
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cetearyl Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Carbomer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Adenosine, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Coptis Japonica Extract, Polyisobutene, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Cyanocobalamin, Sorbitan Oleate, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Pentylene Glycol, Collagen Extract, Sodium Phytate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Sodium DNA
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Mallotus Japonicus Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialNelumbo Nucifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingOpuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil
Emollient
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Sodium Phytate
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Citral
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Propanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Mallotus Japonicus Bark Extract, Cetearyl Olivate, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Sorbitan Olivate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Root Extract, Arginine, Carbomer, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Ceramide NP, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Panthenol, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Adenosine, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Sodium Phytate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool
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 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 GlycolCarbomer 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 CarbomerCetearyl Olivate is a plant-derived emulsifier and texture enhancer. It helps keep the oil and water phases from separating so your formulas stay stable.
You'll likely see it combined with Sorbitan Olivate (together sold as the trade name Olivem 1000). This combination generates a liquid crystal structure that closely resemble the lipid organization of the stratum corneum.
These "skin-like" liquid crystals improve skin barrier integrity and promote the delivery of actives into the skin.
This ingredient is well-tolerated and has no significant sensitization data.
Because it is derived from the fatty acids in olive oil, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Sorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateWater. 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
