What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingWater
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Dimethiconol
Emollient
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
C12-14 Sec-Pareth-7
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlucose
Humectant
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Acerola Cherry Ferment
Skin ProtectingLactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus/Wasabia Japonica Root Ferment Extract
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus/Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Panthenol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, C12-16 Alcohols, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Palmitic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Water, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Olivate, C14-22 Alcohols, Stearic Acid, Sorbitan Olivate, Dimethiconol, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Adenosine, C12-14 Sec-Pareth-7, Disodium EDTA, Myristic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Glucose, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Ceramide NP, Propylene Glycol, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Linoleic Acid, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Acerola Cherry Ferment, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Wasabia Japonica Root Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Ferment Filtrate, Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
Smoothing
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer-2
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingArgemone Mexicana Seed Oil
Emollient
Pyrus Malus Flower Water
EmollientWater, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer-2, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Aluminum Hydroxide, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Parfum, Sodium Polyacrylate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Trideceth-6, Argemone Mexicana Seed Oil, Pyrus Malus Flower Water
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 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl 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 StearateNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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
