What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingTrehalose
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Rice Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Panax Ginseng Root Extract Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate
HumectantSucrose Cocoate
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningMentha Suaveolens Leaf Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialThymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingSoluble Collagen
HumectantGlucose
HumectantMannose
HumectantGlutathione
Oligopeptide-29
AntioxidantOligopeptide-32
AntiseborrhoeicPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Dipropylene Glycol, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Trehalose, Glyceryl Stearate, Carbomer, Arginine, Sorbitan Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Disodium EDTA, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment, Lactobacillus/Panax Ginseng Root Extract Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate, Sucrose Cocoate, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Phytosterols, Mentha Suaveolens Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Soluble Collagen, Glucose, Mannose, Glutathione, Oligopeptide-29, Oligopeptide-32, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientGlycereth-26
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen Extract
Skin ProtectingTrilaureth-4 Phosphate
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Acetate
BufferingCellulose
AbsorbentGlycine
BufferingAnemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientSoluble Collagen
HumectantAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantCysteine
AntioxidantMethionine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Atelocollagen
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Glycereth-26, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Collagen Extract, Trilaureth-4 Phosphate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Acetate, Cellulose, Glycine, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Soluble Collagen, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Threonine, Valine, Isoleucine, Tocopherol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Histidine, Cysteine, Methionine, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Atelocollagen, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate
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 AdenosineArginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineButylene 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideSoluble collagen comes from animals and fish. It has a large molecule size, meaning it doesn't get absorbed into skin.
Instead, it sits on top of skin as a humectant to improve skin hydration. It has incredible water-binding properties and creates a water barrier on skin that prevents evaporation.
This ingredient is incredibly gentle and often used to counter more irritating ingredients.
While our skin does have collagen, this ingredient is not used by the skin for anti-aging. Applying collagen topically has not been linked to helping with collagen loss in skin. All the benefits of soluble collagen are related to hydration.
Fun fact: The name "soluble collagen" refers to its ability to dissolve in water.
Learn more about Soluble CollagenWater. 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