What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Methylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydrolyzed Collagen, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trehalose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Panthenol, Propanediol, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol
Antimicrobial
PEG-32
HumectantBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Trehalose
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Helichrysum Arenarium Extract
AntiseborrhoeicYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Pearl Extract
Antioxidant
Dimethicone
Emollient
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Sodium Palmitoyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantAgar
MaskingCalcium Alginate
MaskingGellan Gum
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPhenylpropanol
Masking
Palmitoyl Oligopeptide
Cleansing
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Alcohol, PEG-32, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Niacinamide, Trehalose, Adenosine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Arginine, Panthenol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Beta-Glucan, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Helichrysum Arenarium Extract, Yeast Extract, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Pearl Extract, Dimethicone, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Palmitoyl Sarcosinate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Mica, Caramel, Agar, Calcium Alginate, Gellan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Propylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Phenylpropanol, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Lactic Acid, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Glycolic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium EDTA
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
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCarbomer 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 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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Trehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. 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
