What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sorbitol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sodium Hyaluronate, Adenosine, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Betaine, Arginine, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylyl Glycol
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Saccharomyces/Panax Ginseng Root Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus/Centella Asiatica Extract Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Rye Flour Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Soybean Extract Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Ganoderma Lucidum Extract/Lentinus Edodes Extract Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus/Algae Extract Ferment
Skin Protecting3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glutathione
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Sh-Polypeptide-121
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Panax Ginseng Root Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Centella Asiatica Extract Ferment Filtrate, Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Rye Flour Ferment, Lactobacillus/Soybean Extract Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Ganoderma Lucidum Extract/Lentinus Edodes Extract Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Lactobacillus/Algae Extract Ferment, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Glucomannan, Sorbitol, Xylitol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Glutathione, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Sh-Polypeptide-121, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Citrate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
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-8Butylene 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 Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 GlycerinThis ingredient is created by putting sodium hyaluronate through hydrolysis.
You might know this as 'mini' or 'ultra low-molecular weight' hyaluronic acid. The small molecule size means it is able to travel deeper in the skin.
According to studies, low molecular-weight hyaluronic acid can:
One study from 2011 found ultra-low weight HA to show pro-inflammatory properties. Another study from 2022 found it to downregulate UV-B induced inflammation.
Hydrolysis is a process of changing a molecule using water or enzymes.
This ingredient is water-soluble.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Sodium HyaluronateSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read about common types of Hyaluronic Acid here:
Learn more about Sodium Acetylated HyaluronateSorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.
As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.
It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.
Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.
Learn more about SorbitolWater. 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
