This anti-aging serum is formulated around Retinol and Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate to soften the look of wrinkles and brighten dull-looking skin.
This hydrating essence is formulated around Snail Secretion Filtrate and Allantoin to hydrate skin and calm redness.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Lotus Japonicus Somatic Embryo Extract
Antioxidant
Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Rotundifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Enteromorpha Compressa Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningAcacia Decurrens Extract
AstringentCoriandrum Sativum Fruit Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Phytate
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Propanediol, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Lotus Japonicus Somatic Embryo Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Retinol, Vitis Rotundifolia Fruit Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Enteromorpha Compressa Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Panthenol, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Acacia Decurrens Extract, Coriandrum Sativum Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Retinyl Palmitate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Beta-Glucan, Superoxide Dismutase, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Lauroyl Lysine, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 60, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lecithin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Phytate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Xanthan Gum
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
Panthenol 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 PanthenolPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSodium 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
