What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientPEG-50 Shea Butter
EmulsifyingLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingErythritol
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantBetaine
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningLavandula Spica Flower Oil
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingOzonized Olive Oil
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingOrange Roughy Oil
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningButter Extract
EmollientGlycyrrhiza Glabra Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingLinoleic Acid
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLinolenic Acid
CleansingCetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Niacinamide, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, PEG-50 Shea Butter, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Squalane, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tromethamine, Panthenol, Sodium Carbomer, Erythritol, Trehalose, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Adenosine, Lavandula Spica Flower Oil, Xanthan Gum, Ozonized Olive Oil, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Orange Roughy Oil, Madecassoside, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Asiaticoside, Malt Extract, Asiatic Acid, Butter Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Leaf Extract, Ceramide AP, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Linoleic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Linolenic Acid
Sea Water
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingWater
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate
EmollientCholesteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingElaeis Guineensis Oil
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventChaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract
AntioxidantDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingCinnamomum Cassia Bark
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingCorchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantGlycosaminoglycans
EmollientHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Glycol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRaspberry Ketone
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitral
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingSea Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Water, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate, Cholesteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Polysorbate 20, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Trehalose, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Propanediol, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Polyglutamic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Glycosaminoglycans, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Ceramide NP, Adenosine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Benzyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Raspberry Ketone, Disodium EDTA, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citral, Limonene
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
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 AdenosineButylene 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 GlycolChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.
Chamomile is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Several compounds found in chamomile help with soothing, such as bisbolol.
Antioxidant components in chamomile make it an effective ingredient to help slow the signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or molecules that may damage your skin.
Essential oils from chamomile have been found to improve wound healing due to its antimicrobial properties.
Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used Chamomile to treat skin redness and dryness. Chamomile has also been used to help treat stomach issues.
Learn more about Chamomilla Recutita Flower ExtractEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcelluloseNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePanthenol 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 HyaluronateTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about Trehalose