This anti-aging serum is formulated around Retinol and Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture.
This anti-aging eye moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Retinal to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Shea Butter Ethyl Esters
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Swertia Chirata Extract
HumectantSqualane
Emollient
Punica Granatum Extract
AstringentTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Extract
Skin ConditioningUrea
Buffering
Yeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
Humectant
Inositol
Humectant
Taurine
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventSilica
Abrasive
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Laureth-23
Cleansing
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Trideceth-6 Phosphate
EmulsifyingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingSodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isopropyl Palmitate, C14-22 Alcohols, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Retinol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Swertia Chirata Extract, Squalane, Punica Granatum Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycine Soja Extract, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Silica, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Butylene Glycol, Lecithin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Cetyl Palmitate, Laureth-23, Polysorbate 20, Trideceth-6 Phosphate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, CI 77891, CI 14700, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Methylpropanediol
SolventButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Hydrogenated Rosinate
Perfuming
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Vinyldimethicone
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Batyl Alcohol
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Phytosteryl Isostearate
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate-13
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Polyisobutene
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
Emulsifying
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Malt Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract
Skin ProtectingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Dextrin
AbsorbentCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningAluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate
Emulsion StabilisingBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientRetinal
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Thamnolia Vermicularis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin Conditioning
Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Skin Conditioning
Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-23
Skin Conditioning
Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Antioxidant
Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-35
Antioxidant
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-29
Antioxidant
Oligopeptide-32
Antiseborrhoeic
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-29
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Decapeptide-7
Antioxidant
Sh-Octapeptide-4
Antioxidant
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Polypeptide-16
Skin Protecting
Sh-Polypeptide-22
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-62
Antioxidant
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Sr-(Oligopeptide-91 Clostridium Botulinum Polypeptide-1)
Skin Conditioning
Tetrapeptide-30
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-10 Citrulline
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-29
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Methylpropanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Methyl Hydrogenated Rosinate, Polysorbate 60, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Stearic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycereth-26, Vinyldimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Behenic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sorbitan Stearate, Batyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phytosteryl Isostearate, Polyacrylate-13, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Polyisobutene, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Citric Acid, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Hydrolyzed Malt Extract, Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract, Polysorbate 20, Dextrin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disodium EDTA, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Phosphatidylcholine, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Retinal, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Resveratrol, Thamnolia Vermicularis Leaf Extract, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Dipeptide-2, Dipeptide-4, Hexapeptide-11, Hexapeptide-12, Hexapeptide-9, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-23, Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-35, Nonapeptide-1, Oligopeptide-29, Oligopeptide-32, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-29, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Sh-Decapeptide-7, Sh-Octapeptide-4, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-16, Sh-Polypeptide-22, Sh-Polypeptide-3, Sh-Polypeptide-62, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sr-(Oligopeptide-91 Clostridium Botulinum Polypeptide-1), Tetrapeptide-30, Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-10 Citrulline, Tripeptide-29
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerButylene 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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPDisodium 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 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 StearatePeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Propanediol 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 PropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
