What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
C12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingPEG-10 Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Stabilising
Pvp
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Bifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Fructose
Humectant
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Acetyl Heptapeptide-4
Humectant
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPhytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
1,5-Pentanediol
SolventSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingSoluble Collagen
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingWater, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, C12-14 Pareth-12, PEG-10 Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Pvp, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Fructose, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Butylene Glycol, Trehalose, Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Phosphatidylcholine, Phytosterols, Ceramide NP, Arginine, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, 1,5-Pentanediol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Chloride, Soluble Collagen, Parfum, Polysorbate 80, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Oleate, PPG-5-Ceteth-20
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingBifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Isopropyl Isostearate
Emollient
PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientTripeptide-32
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Faex Extract
Skin ConditioningAminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Algae Extract
EmollientHydrolyzed Algin
Lactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Betula Alba Bark Extract
Masking
Propylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientSodium Polyaspartate
HumectantSodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium Rna
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Fructose
Humectant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPolysilicone-11
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Isohexadecane, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Isopropyl Isostearate, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Tripeptide-32, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Hexapeptide-9, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Faex Extract, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caffeine, Algae Extract, Hydrolyzed Algin, Lactis Proteinum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Sodium Polyaspartate, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Rna, Sodium PCA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glucose, Sucrose, Fructose, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propylene Carbonate, Polysilicone-11, Hydroxyacetophenone, Lecithin, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77491
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
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, commonly known as Argireline or Acetyl Hexapeptide-3, is a popular peptide in skincare. It’s often referred to as a “Botox-like” ingredient because it helps reduce muscle movement.
By relaxing these micro-movements, Argireline may help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. That said, it’s not as powerful as Botox, and research on its long-term effectiveness is still limited.
Beyond smoothing, Argireline may also support collagen production. Collagen is the protein that helps keep your skin firm, bouncy, and well-hydrated by strengthening the skin barrier.
So while Argireline isn’t a miracle fix, it can be a helpful addition to a routine focused on both prevention and skin health.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Acetyl Hexapeptide-8This ingredient is a postbiotic made by fermenting Bifidobacterium (a probiotic bacteria) and then filtering out the liquid portion. It has skin conditioning properties.
Much of the evidence for this ingredient is borrowed from the lysate form of this ingredient, which has a much stronger research base.
This ingredient is generally considered fungal acne (Malassezia) safe; Bifidobacterium is a bacterium, not a yeast or fungus.
The fungal acne concern with fermented ingredients mainly applies to yeast-derived ferments like Saccharomyces and Galactomyces, because those are in the same kingdom as Malassezia and could theoretically contain residual compounds that feed it.
Bifida is a completely different organism, so on its own it doesn't provide a food source for the Malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about Bifida Ferment FiltrateButylene 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 GlycolDimethicone 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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneIsohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecanePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium 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
