What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Diisobutyl Adipate
EmollientDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Drometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
2,3-Butanediol
HumectantDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Methylpropanediol
SolventPolyester-5
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyether-1
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin Conditioning
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Propanediol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Diisobutyl Adipate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Niacinamide, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, 2,3-Butanediol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Methicone, Pentylene Glycol, Tromethamine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Methylpropanediol, Polyester-5, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Jojoba Esters, Panthenol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyether-1, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Polyglycerin-3, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Tocopherol, Ceramide NP
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Sulfate
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Talc
Abrasive
Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Punica Granatum Extract
AstringentCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vanilla Tahitensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrulline
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Domestica Seed Extract
EmollientPrunus Persica Flower Extract
MoisturisingWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Zinc Oxide, CI 77891, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Caprylyl Methicone, Niacinamide, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Magnesium Sulfate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sorbitan Isostearate, Parfum, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 77491, CI 77492, Adenosine, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Talc, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Water, Propylene Glycol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Punica Granatum Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Vanilla Tahitensis Fruit Extract, Citrulline, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Flower Extract, Prunus Domestica Seed Extract, Prunus Persica Flower Extract
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 GlycolCaprylyl Methicone is a synthetic and lightweight silicone fluid. It gives products a silky, dry-touch finish without the heaviness of pure oils.
Though the EU CosIng Database lists this ingredient as a skin conditioner, it is also used for sensory reasons. It spreads easily, cuts greasiness, and reduces tackiness.
This ingredient is volatile which means it will mostly evaporate (but it evaporates slower than older cyclomethicones, like Cyclotetrasiloxane).
Typical concentration ranges from 1-30% depending on if it's being used to tweak the feel of a product or acting as the main emollient.
Learn more about Caprylyl MethiconeNiacinamide 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 Water
