What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Methylpropanediol
SolventHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment
Saccharomyces/Silicon Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Haematococcus Pluvialis Oil
Antioxidant
Heptasodium Hexacarboxymethyl Dipeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Phytate
Cholesterol
Emollient
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide
Antioxidant
Adenosine Triphosphate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingNicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Copper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Capryloyl Dipeptide-17
Emollient
Thioctic Acid
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Steareth-20
CleansingAstaxanthin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDextran
Hexapeptide-2
Bleaching
Magnesium Chloride
Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Dipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Pentapeptide-18
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Decapeptide-7
Antioxidant
Sh-Octapeptide-4
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid Polypeptide
Antioxidant
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Caffeoyl Tripeptide-1
Antioxidant
Caffeoyl Sh-Octapeptide-4
Antioxidant
Galloyl Pentapeptide-33
Antioxidant
Kojyl Carboxy Dipeptide-23
Antioxidant
Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Antioxidant
Octapeptide-7
Skin Protecting
Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Decapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-9
Humectant
Sh-Pentapeptide-19
Skin Conditioning
Asparagine
MaskingGlutamine
Skin ConditioningTryptophan
MaskingOligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-22
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Polyglycerin-3, Butylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Propanediol, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Hyaluronate, Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment, Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment, Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment, Saccharomyces/Silicon Ferment, Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Oil, Heptasodium Hexacarboxymethyl Dipeptide-12, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pentylene Glycol, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Cholesterol, Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, Adenosine Triphosphate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Beta-Glucan, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Copper Gluconate, Resveratrol, Capryloyl Dipeptide-17, Thioctic Acid, Glutathione, Potassium Hydroxide, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Sorbitan Laurate, Steareth-20, Astaxanthin, Sodium Lactate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Panthenol, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Citrate, Dextran, Hexapeptide-2, Magnesium Chloride, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Dipeptide-2, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine, Citric Acid, Biotin, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Tocopheryl Acetate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Dipeptide-4, Hexapeptide-11, Pentapeptide-18, Tripeptide-3, Sh-Decapeptide-7, Sh-Octapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Ascorbic Acid Polypeptide, Hexapeptide-9, Oligopeptide-3, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Ubiquinone, Copper Tripeptide-1, Caffeoyl Tripeptide-1, Caffeoyl Sh-Octapeptide-4, Galloyl Pentapeptide-33, Kojyl Carboxy Dipeptide-23, Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Octapeptide-7, Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Decapeptide-9, Sh-Oligopeptide-9, Sh-Pentapeptide-19, Asparagine, Glutamine, Tryptophan, Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-22, Sh-Polypeptide-3, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Carnosine, Nonapeptide-1, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Acetamidoethoxyethanol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-50
Skin Conditioning
Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-52
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-18
Skin Conditioning
Diamond Powder
Abrasive
Methylglucoside Phosphate
Skin ConditioningCopper Lysinate/Prolinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyvinyl Alcohol
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPhenylpropanol
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Glycerin, Acetamidoethoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysorbate 20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Menthyl Lactate, Resveratrol, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-50, Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-52, Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-18, Diamond Powder, Methylglucoside Phosphate, Copper Lysinate/Prolinate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glyceryl Caprylate, Phenylpropanol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol
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
Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeDimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone created by modifying dimethicone with hydrocarbon side chains. Due to its large size, it does not penetrate skin. It is considered non-occlusive.
Dimethicone Crosspolymer is used to stabilize and thicken products. It also helps give products a silky feel.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinYou might know this ingredient as Matrixyl. It is a synthetic peptide made up of five amino acids attached to a palmitic acid, a fatty acid that helps it absorb into skin more easily.
As a signal peptide, Matrixyl acts like a little messenger. Once it reaches your skin cells, it tells them to ramp up production of collagen, elastin, and other proteins that keep skin looking firm and smooth.
A 12 week clinical study found that a moisturizer containing just 3 ppm of Matrixyl led to a significant improvement in fine-lines and wrinkles. Another study showed an 18% reduction in wrinkle depth, 37% reduction in wrinkle thickness, and a 21% improvement in skin firmness after just 28 days of twice-daily use.
The coolest part is that it works at incredibly low concentrations (like 0.0003%) and it plays well with other actives.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel found it to be non-sensitizing across multiple tests and human patch tests also showed no irritation or sensitization.
Fun fact: Matrixyl was originally developed by French company Sederma and Procter & Gamble.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4Polysorbate 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 20Resveratrol is a well-studied polyphenol antioxidant that has gained attention in skincare for its protective and calming effects on the skin. It’s often considered a gentler option for people who can’t tolerate retinoids.
This antioxidant is best known for its anti-aging benefits. Research suggests resveratrol helps combat visible signs of aging by:
Beyond anti-aging, resveratrol is also valued for its skin-brightening and soothing properties.
Some forms of resveratrol appear to be more effective than others. Resveratrol isobutyrate and resveratrol butyrate are often cited as more stable derivatives.
Research also suggests these two forms have stronger effects on Type I collagen stimulation and inflammation reduction compared to basic resveratrol.
Resveratrol is naturally unstable and can degrade when exposed to light and oxygen. Well-designed products often use stabilized derivatives, airless or opaque packaging, and supporting antioxidants to help maintain effectiveness on skin.
A note on resveratrol as a retinoid alternative:
While resveratrol offers antioxidant protection, inflammation control, and some collagen-supporting benefits, it does not replace retinoids in terms of cell turnover or acne treatment.
However, it can be a useful option for people with retinoid sensitivity or intolerance, or for those looking to support skin health without irritation.
Fun fact: Resveratrol is naturally found in grapes, peanuts, and berries, which is why it’s frequently associated with wine and grape-derived skincare ingredients.
Learn more about ResveratrolSodium 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
