This anti-aging essence is formulated around Niacinamide and Adenosine to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture.
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate and Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 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 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 ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phytic Acid
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Water, Niacinamide, Gluconolactone, Butylene Glycol, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Pentylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Salicylic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Phytic Acid, Adenosine, Sodium Benzoate, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 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 GlycolThis small molecule peptide has similar benefits to Argireline, the "botox" peptide.
According to the manufacturer, this peptide mimics snake venom to freeze muscles. This prevents muscle movement and contractions to prohibit the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.
While this seems promising, research is lacking in proving this ingredient to be as effective as botox.
Learn more about Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide DiacetateGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcelluloseNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPotassium Hydroxide (also known as potash) is a strong alkaline ingredient that does one job: it nudges a product's pH up so the whole formula lands in a skin-friendly range.
It's also the base that turns oils into liquid soap during the soap making process.
An expert safety panel reviewed it and found it safe when formulations are made to be non-irritating.
As a pH adjuster, it's typically used well under 1% though regulatory caps go much higher: 5% in nail cuticle removers and 2-4.5% in hair straighteners.
Though there is some concern for irritation from raw or high pH material, a well-balanced formula will be a non-issue for the vast majority of people.
Learn more about Potassium HydroxideWater. 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
