This smoothing serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Sodium Hyaluronate to refine skin texture and hydrate skin.
This calming serum is formulated around Beta-Glucan and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 to calm redness and hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Persica Fruit Extract
Abrasive
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantSodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Phytic Acid
Chelating
Sucrose
Humectant
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Madecassoside, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Sodium Carbomer, Beta-Glucan, Saccharide Isomerate, Phytic Acid, Sucrose, Asiaticoside, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Withania Somnifera Extract
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion Stabilising
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Ganoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin Protecting
Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Nymphaea Caerulea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Zingiber Zerumbet Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgin
MaskingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Glycerin, Beta-Glucan, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Caffeine, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Withania Somnifera Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Lactobacillus Ferment, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Nymphaea Caerulea Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate, Zingiber Zerumbet Extract, Algin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol
Reviews
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
Beta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanCaprylyl 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 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 EthylhexylglycerinSodium 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
