What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantInositol
HumectantTaurine
BufferingBetaine
HumectantArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingCedrus Atlantica Bark Extract
PerfumingSqualane
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPentapeptide-18
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Callus Culture
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientAureobasidium Pullulans Ferment
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus
MaskingAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCalcium Chloride
AstringentPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Ultramarines
Parfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Extract, Squalane, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Pentapeptide-18, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Adenosine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Callus Culture, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Aureobasidium Pullulans Ferment, Chondrus Crispus, Acetyl Glucosamine, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Polyglutamic Acid, Allantoin, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Calcium Chloride, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, CI 77891, Disodium EDTA, Ultramarines, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientChondrus Crispus Powder
AbrasiveCitrus Limon Fruit Water
MaskingAcrylates Copolymer
Chondrus Crispus
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBetaine
HumectantCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Chloride
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucomannan
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDextrin
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingSodium Phytate
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantGlutathione
Glyceryl Arachidonate
EmollientGlyceryl Linolenate
EmollientRetinal
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPhosphoric Acid
BufferingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Citrus Limon Fruit Water, Acrylates Copolymer, Chondrus Crispus, Xanthan Gum, Betaine, Cellulose Gum, Potassium Chloride, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Allantoin, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Glucomannan, Butylene Glycol, Dextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Sodium Phytate, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Octyldodecanol, Cyanocobalamin, Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Gluconolactone, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glutathione, Glyceryl Arachidonate, Glyceryl Linolenate, Retinal, Retinyl Palmitate, Thiamine Hcl, Pyridoxine, Folic Acid, Collagen Extract, Biotin, Phosphoric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Limonene, Linalool
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 AdenosineAllantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCeratonia Siliqua Gum is extracted from the seeds of the carob tree. You might know this ingredient as Carob Gum or Locust Bean Gum. It is used to stabilize other ingredients and improve the texture of products.
Carob gum is made up of long-chain polysaccharides. This makes it a natural thickener.
Yes! This ingredient comes from the seeds of a tree. The name 'Locust Bean Gum' can be misleading.
Learn more about Ceratonia Siliqua GumChondrus Crispus is a red algae native to the northern Atlantic ocean.
It is rich in antioxidants. The polysaccharides, peptides, and amino acid content helps moisturize skin.
Antioxidants present in chondrus crispus include lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein has the ability to filter blue light from screens.
Learn more about Chondrus CrispusEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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