What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Olive Oil Lauryl Esters
Emulsion StabilisingNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPlacental Protein
HumectantHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingCyclomethicone
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTropolone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Extensin
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingArtemisia Absinthium Extract
Skin ConditioningAchillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingGentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialRosa Hybrid Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Water, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Lauryl Esters, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Dipropylene Glycol, Placental Protein, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Niacinamide, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Stearic Acid, Cyclomethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tropolone, Dimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Trehalose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Adenosine, Allantoin, Beta-Glucan, Propylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Extensin, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Alcohol, Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingRoyal Jelly
Dextrin
AbsorbentCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPolyisobutene
Theobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate-13
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCoptis Chinensis Root Extract
AntioxidantSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Royal Jelly Protein
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingWater, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Trehalose, Sorbitan Isostearate, Royal Jelly, Dextrin, Copper Tripeptide-1, Polyisobutene, Theobroma Cacao Extract, BHT, Glycerin, Beta-Glucan, Polyacrylate-13, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propanediol, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Dimethicone, Adenosine, Coptis Chinensis Root Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Centella Asiatica Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Propolis Extract, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Royal Jelly Protein, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tromethamine
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AdenosineBeta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanButylene 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 GlycolCyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium 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 GlycerinSodium 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 HyaluronateTrehalose 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