What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantMadecassoside
AntioxidantSodium Polystyrene Sulfonate
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
AntioxidantArtemisia Capillaris Extract
Ascorbic Acid
AntioxidantDimethyl Sulfone
SolventMorinda Citrifolia Extract
AstringentPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicAdenosine
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantSparassis Crispa Extract
Emulsion StabilisingAspartic Acid
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingLeucine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentRubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Arginine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingValine
MaskingThreonine
Proline
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientHistidine
HumectantSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMethionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Sterols
EmollientHydroxydecyl Ubiquinone
AntioxidantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf Water, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Madecassoside, Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate, Tocopherol, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Dimethyl Sulfone, Morinda Citrifolia Extract, Panthenol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Adenosine, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Sparassis Crispa Extract, Aspartic Acid, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract, Leucine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Bacillus Ferment, Sclerotium Gum, Alanine, Lysine, Caprylyl Glycol, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Valine, Threonine, Proline, Isoleucine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Octyldodecanol, Histidine, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Methionine, Cysteine, Ceramide NP, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Water, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Sterols, Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Snail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantEthyl Hexanediol
SolventAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingWater
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningSnail Secretion Filtrate, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Ethyl Hexanediol, Allantoin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Carbomer, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Adenosine, Arginine, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
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
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (also known as Argireline) is a synthetic hexapeptide that is often called a "topical Botox alternative".
It works by mimicking how Botox relaxes muscles; it interferes with the signaling process that tells your facial muscles to contract. This can help soften expression lines like forehead wrinkles or crow's feet over time.
The comparison to Botox does have limits because the molecule is water-loving and relatively large.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 has a hard time absorbing deeply enough through the skin's outer barrier to actually reach the muscles.
So whether it truly works the way Botox does at a biological level is still up for debate, but early clinical outcomes are fairly encouraging.
A 12 week human study of a multi-ingredient regimen containing this ingredient saw:
While some studies have observed improvements in wrinkle appearance, it is important to note that more consistent results are seen in multi-ingredient formulations (vs just Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 alone).
Some research studies also used higher concentrations (up to 10%) while this ingredient is usually found in concentrations up to 0.005% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about Acetyl Hexapeptide-8Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineArginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineButylene 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 GlycolYou might know this ingredient as Matrixyl. It is a synthetic peptide made up of five amino acids attached to a palmitic acid, a fatty acid that helps it absorb into skin more easily.
As a signal peptide, Matrixyl acts like a little messenger. Once it reaches your skin cells, it tells them to ramp up production of collagen, elastin, and other proteins that keep skin looking firm and smooth.
A 12 week clinical study found that a moisturizer containing just 3 ppm of Matrixyl led to a significant improvement in fine-lines and wrinkles. Another study showed an 18% reduction in wrinkle depth, 37% reduction in wrinkle thickness, and a 21% improvement in skin firmness after just 28 days of twice-daily use.
The coolest part is that it works at incredibly low concentrations (like 0.0003%) and it plays well with other actives.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel found it to be non-sensitizing across multiple tests and human patch tests also showed no irritation or sensitization.
Fun fact: Matrixyl was originally developed by French company Sederma and Procter & Gamble.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium 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