What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
EmulsifyingDiethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventGlycereth-26
HumectantIsopentyldiol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingChondrus Crispus Powder
AbrasivePolyglycerin-3
HumectantBisabolol
Masking3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantSodium Surfactin
CleansingXylitol
HumectantGlutathione
Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract
AstringentHydrolyzed Collagen Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningCollagen Amino Acids
MoisturisingCollagen Water
HumectantSoluble Collagen
HumectantLactobacillus/Collagen Ferment Filtrate
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLeontopodium Alpinum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSaussurea Involucrata Extract
HumectantLilium Candidum Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Glycol
SolventHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Glycereth-26, Isopentyldiol, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Polyglycerin-3, Bisabolol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Dna, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Sodium Surfactin, Xylitol, Glutathione, Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Collagen Extract, Collagen Amino Acids, Collagen Water, Soluble Collagen, Lactobacillus/Collagen Ferment Filtrate, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Saussurea Involucrata Extract, Lilium Candidum Flower Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glucose, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone
Collagen Water
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDiethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventPEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether
StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingTrehalose
HumectantOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingMethyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Extract
MaskingPullulan
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientHydrolyzed Sponge
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingArtemisia Capillaris Extract
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Laurate
EmulsifyingBenzyl Glycol
SolventHyaluronic Acid
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolylactic Acid
AbrasiveResveratrol
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantAcetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasivePentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantAcetyl Octapeptide-3
HumectantTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-2
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingRaspberry Ketone
MaskingCoptis Chinensis Root Extract
AntioxidantStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPropylene Carbonate
SolventPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-3
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-11
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-22
Skin ConditioningCollagen Water, Water, Glycereth-26, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Trehalose, Octyldodeceth-16, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Dna, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Pullulan, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Adenosine, Octyldodecanol, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cyanocobalamin, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Potassium Laurate, Benzyl Glycol, Hyaluronic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Polylactic Acid, Resveratrol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Silica, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-2, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Raspberry Ketone, Coptis Chinensis Root Extract, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-3, Copper Tripeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Sh-Polypeptide-22
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Adenosine 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 AdenosineWe don't have a description for Benzyl Glycol yet.
Butylene 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 GlycolCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.
This ingredient has many skin benefits:
This ingredient contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off molecules that damage skin cells.
On top of that, the antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.
Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory properties.
Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.
Other compounds found in tea include: Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.
Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractCollagen Water can help to reduce the effects of aging.
We don't have a description for Diethoxyethyl Succinate yet.
Dipropylene 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 ‘good’ 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycereth-26 is a synthetic ingredient and polyethylene glycol ether of Glycerin. Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin and helps keep your skin moisturized.
It is a humectant and helps add texture to products. It can make your product thicker.
As a humectant, it helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps your skin stay hydrated.
Learn more about Glycereth-26Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrolyzed collagen has a misleading name because it is actually a mixture of various proteins/peptides. This ingredient has skin hydrating properties.
Collagen is the most abundant type of structural protein found in your body. In your skin, it is responsible for keeping it firm and youthful.
Hydrolyzed Collagen is created by breaking up proteins into smaller peptide bonds. These peptides act as humectants and emollients.
Humectants are great at holding onto water, keeping skin hydrated. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
There is ongoing debate about whether hydrolyzed collagen works because it increases skin hydration. Skin hydration is also linked to elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles.
Collagen or peptide ingredients can be used in the morning or night. They will not increase sun sensitivity, but you should always wear sunscreen during the day.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is a great hair conditioner as well.
This ingredient can be extracted from different sources, including:
Vegan collagen is derived from yeast, bacteria, or plant sources. Vegan collagen would go by a different INCI name, such as hydrolyzed soy protein.
The results are varied.
A study from 2021 found hydrolyzed collagen increased elasticity and improved wrinkles in 1,125 participants between age 20 and 70. Another study found increased skin thickness in participants between the ages of 45 to 59.
However, It is difficult to prove that oral collagen will end up working on your skin. Many of the studies using hydrolyzed collagen also add several vitamins and nutrients into the test mixture as well.
Further studies are needed at this time.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed CollagenWe don't have a description for Morus Alba Bark Extract yet.
Niacinamide 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 NiacinamidePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium DNA is an emerging anti-aging ingredient.
It is created by taking deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and purifying it with sodium hydroxide.
The DNA is extracted from several different animal sources, including: calf thymus, the gonadic tissue of a male sturgeon, or herring / salmon sperm.
You have probably seen this ingredient in anti-aging skincare. But what is it?
DNA is composed of nucleotides, or chemical building blocks. Nucleotides include adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C). Talk about a flashback to biology! Nucleosides are formed from these nucleotides.
The science behind Sodium DNA is based on an ingredient called Polydeoxyribonucleotide or PDRN.
PDRN are DNA fragments mainly extracted from the sperm cells of trout or salmon. Meaning, PDRN can be derived from Sodium DNA.
PDRN consists of chains of nucleotides and nucleosides mentioned above. They can range anywhere from 80 - 2000 pairs.
Studies show PDRN has the following properties:
Most of the research on PDRN has been done using injectable forms. That’s important, because PDRN is a large molecule and doesn’t absorb well through the skin. So if you’re applying it topically, the effects are likely to be much milder.
Still, topical Sodium DNA is emerging as a trendy anti-aging ingredient. It’s generally well-tolerated and offers good biocompatibility with human skin, making it a low-risk addition to most routines.
Further studies are needed to truly confirm this ingredients anti-aging ability (Remember, retinol has decades of research!).
When using this ingredient, is is best to ask a brand about the source of their Sodium DNA. You'll want to find products where the Sodium DNA is sourced from fish. Some Sodium DNA is derived from calf / cow thymus.
Needless to say, this ingredient is not vegan.
Learn more about Sodium DnaWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water