What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Collagen Water
HumectantPropylene Glycol Dibenzoate
Skin ConditioningPolyvinyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingPinus Pinaster Bark Extract
AntioxidantSodium Acetate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAtelocollagen
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentGlutathione
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningCynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningThamnolia Vermicularis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTabebuia Impetiginosa Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantAnemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantCollagen Water, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Water, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Dipropylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Parfum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Sodium Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Atelocollagen, Calcium Gluconate, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Dextrin, Glutathione, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Cyanocobalamin, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Thamnolia Vermicularis Leaf Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract, Tabebuia Impetiginosa Bark Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPullulan
Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate
Emulsion StabilisingAlgin
MaskingPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPectin
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSucrose
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantDisodium Phosphate
BufferingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Phosphate
BufferingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantCholesterol
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningAcetylphytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantAlanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Pullulan, Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate, Algin, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Polysorbate 80, Pectin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Sucrose, Tromethamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cellulose Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Polysorbate 60, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Squalane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Phosphate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Tocopherol, Cholesterol, Ceramide NP, Acetylphytosphingosine, Tripeptide-1, Phytosphingosine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hexapeptide-11, Hexapeptide-9, Nonapeptide-1, Sodium Dna
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, commonly known as Argireline or Acetyl Hexapeptide-3, is a popular peptide in skincare. Itās often referred to as a āBotox-likeā 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, itās 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 isnāt 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-8Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredientās final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the āgoodā alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolyisobuteneTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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