This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Ceramide NP to strengthen the skin barrier and calm redness.
This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil and Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyacrylate-13
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Arginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Phytate
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Glucose
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Arachidic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, C14-22 Alcohols, 1,2-Hexanediol, Palmitic Acid, Arachidyl Glucoside, Stearic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyacrylate-13, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Arginine, Carbomer, Polyisobutene, Panthenol, Dipropylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Phytate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Myristic Acid, Glucose, Glyceryl Stearate, Arachidic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Ns, Lauric Acid, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ceramide EOP
Water
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Punica Granatum Seed Oil
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingCucumis Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydrolyzed DNA
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Water, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, Panthenol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Cucumis Sativus Seed Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolyzed DNA, Parfum, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Carbomer, Sodium Benzoate, Adenosine, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
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 AdenosineCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerDimethicone 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 StearatePanthenol 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 PanthenolSodium 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
