This anti-aging moisturizer is formulated around Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil and Adenosine to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCanola Oil
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientPyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Iris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingCucumis Melo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hippophae Rhamnoides Water
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Oil
Antimicrobial
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Synthetic Wax, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Octyldodecanol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Dipropylene Glycol, Canola Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Cucumis Melo Seed Extract, Sorbitan Tristearate, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Adenosine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Niacinamide, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hippophae Rhamnoides Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientLithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate
Emulsifying
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium DNA
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Collagen
Moisturising
Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide
Antioxidant
Adenosine Triphosphate
Skin ConditioningNicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningAlkanna Tinctoria Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-10
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Polypeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-59
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Synthetic Wax, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Diisostearyl Malate, Microcrystalline Wax, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Octyldodecanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Bisabolol, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Adenosine, Sodium DNA, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Tocopherol, Water, Caffeine, Collagen, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycine Soja Oil, Propanediol, Glycerin, Retinol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, Adenosine Triphosphate, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Alkanna Tinctoria Root Extract, Lecithin, Sodium Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-10, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-3, Sh-Polypeptide-59, Sh-Polypeptide-9
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
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 AdenosineCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that 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. Just 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 ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate is a plant-derived emulsifier and pigment-dispersing agent with a non-sticky skin feel.
It helps products glide on smoothly and prevents oil and water from separating in a formula, making it suitable for sunscreen and makeup formulations.
The EU inventory of cosmetics has no use restrictions on this ingredient and it is considered well-tolerated.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is derived from isostearic acid.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-2 TriisostearateSodium 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 HyaluronateSynthetic Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
This ingredient has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Synthetic Waxes are straight/branched-chain hydrocarbons with no ester bond or fatty acids. That means there is nothing for the Malassezia yeast to feed on.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxWater. 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 WaterEuphorbia Cerifera Wax (aka candelilla wax) is a vegan stand-in for beeswax. It is a plant-derived wax that functions as an astringent, emulsion stabilizer, film-former, and skin conditioner.
On skin, it forms a protective barrier that helps lock in moisture while it enhances product stability, prevents separation, and helps color last longer in makeup.
This ingredient is generally safe for use in cosmetics with one nuance: some grades of candelilla wax can naturally contain benzyl alcohol at concentrations high enough to require declaration under EU labeling rules. This isn't a concern for most people but relevant for those with fragrance sensitivities.
Candelilla wax contains fatty acids (mainly C31) and wax esters that can be used by the Malassezia yeast, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
You might see Euphorbia Cerifera "Cera" instead of "wax". This is because some brands, databases, or labels use it interchangeably; they're the same ingredient.
Learn more about Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
