This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Sodium DNA and Centella Asiatica Extract to strengthen the skin barrier and soften the look of wrinkles.
This anti-aging moisturizer is formulated around Sodium DNA and Niacinamide to soften the look of wrinkles and strengthen the skin barrier.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantTrimethyl Pentaphenyl Trisiloxane
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSodium DNA
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingTapioca Starch
Sodium Chloride
MaskingTrehalose
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantMadecassoside
AntioxidantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTriisopropanolamine
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningZinc Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate
HumectantLecithin
EmollientSodium Phosphate
BufferingOligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-10
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Polypeptide-3
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-59
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-9
Skin ConditioningWater, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Squalane, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Trimethyl Pentaphenyl Trisiloxane, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Sodium DNA, Panthenol, Sorbitol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Tapioca Starch, Sodium Chloride, Trehalose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Madecassoside, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Beta-Sitosterol, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Triisopropanolamine, Tocopherol, Ceramide NP, Zinc Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Sodium Phosphate, Oligopeptide-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
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium DNA
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingMethyl Hydrogenated Rosinate
PerfumingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentC18-21 Alkane
SolventPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
MaskingTrehalose
HumectantMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
ChelatingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Phosphate
BufferingSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Guaiazulene Sulfonate
SurfactantWater, Butylene Glycol, Sodium DNA, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Methyl Hydrogenated Rosinate, Glycerin, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sodium Polyacrylate, C18-21 Alkane, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil, Trehalose, Microcrystalline Wax, Polysorbate 60, Sclerotium Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Phosphate, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Guaiazulene Sulfonate
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
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 GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is one of the most researched botanical extracts in skincare with decades of studies backing its effects on inflammation, collagen, and the skin barrier.
That research keeps pointing back to the same four triterpenoid saponins: Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, and Madecassic Acid.
These compounds allow centella to dial back inflammation, encourage the skin to build and hold onto collagen, support the barrier and hydration, and bring solid antioxidant activity to protect against signs of aging.
Centella also carries a nice supporting cast of Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and amino acids. Put it all together and you get an ingredient that soothes, hydrates, and protects, all at once.
Most of centella's magic comes from the four big compounds (Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, and Madecassic Acid). These are the actives doing the heavy lifting in almost every centella study.
Here is the short version of what they do in the skin:
So it is not just soothing for the sake of soothing. Centella calms the skin AND helps it rebuild.
Just FYI, not all centella on an ingredient list is the same. What you are getting actually depends on the extract:
Fun fact on the ratios: the leaves tend to be richest in Madecassoside and Asiaticoside, and lower in the two acids. The exact amounts shift with where the plant is grown and how it is processed. This means purity really does vary brand to brand.
Centella is one of the most easygoing actives out there.
It layers well with basically everything: niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and vitamin C, and also pairs nicely with stronger actives like retinoids and exfoliating acids where it can help take the edge off irritation.
On the safety side, centella and its triterpenes are classified as weak sensitizers, meaning allergic reactions are possible but uncommon.
Patch tests at 1% and 5% came back negative in test panels, and creams at typical use levels did not cause allergic reactions across large groups of people.
But as with any new active, a patch test is still a smart move for very reactive skin.
Centella is widely used because it is effective at low percentages. For context, human safety testing found no meaningful irritation from creams containing centella extract at everyday use levels (the tested amounts were well under 1%).
The irritancy threshold in animal testing was also above 30% (so real-world formulas sit far below anything concerning).
In collagen lab studies, higher concentrations drove more collagen synthesis, so serums built around centella tend to feature it more prominently.
Bottom line: you will find centella working nicely anywhere from a fraction of a percent up to hero-ingredient levels depending on whether it is a supporting soother or the main event.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinHydrogenated Polydecene is a synthetic emollient. It forms a non-occlusive film on the skin's surface to provide a silky feel without being greasy.
In vivo studies in volunteers with atopic and dry skin showed no irritation or intolerance. The volunteers also saw a positive effect in dryness, scaling, and roughness after 28 days of use.
Concentrations up to 100% in guinea pig tests found it to be non-sensitizing and completely safe for use in cosmetics.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolydecenePanthenol 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 Panthenolsh-Oligopeptide-1 is a peptide found naturally in our bodies. Peptides are the building blocks for collagen and elastin in our skin.
In cosmetics, this ingredient is bioengineered to be identical to a human gene that codes for epidermal growth factor (EGF). EGF are signal molecules that simulate cell growth and healing.
Studies find EGF help with:
In South Korea and China, EGF is considered a controversial ingredient. The South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has cracked down on companies with products including EGF due to false advertisement claims.
According to Dr. Zoe Draelos, growth factors have some drawbacks:
There is also controversy surrounding growth factors. The controversy is due to their mitogenic activity, or their ability to increase the number of cells. It is best to avoid using growth factors if you have psoriasis or are at risk of skin cancer. However, it should be noted EGF are not mutagenic - meaning they will not cause cancer.
Learn more about Sh-Oligopeptide-1Sodium 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!).
Sodium DNA may be sourced from fish, animal tissue, or plants. Since this isn’t always disclosed, we recommend asking the brand directly if the ingredient’s origin is important to you.
Learn more about Sodium DNASodium Phosphate is is behind-the-scenes formulation helper. Its main job is buffering, or locking in the product's pH.
This helps ensure the formula stays at its intended acidity through manufacturing, shipping, and sitting on your shelf. Many active ingredients like vitamin C or retinoids are pH sensitive so maintaining their happy pH range matters.
It is synthetic and reported use concentrations are very low (up to 0.086% in face powders).
Learn more about Sodium PhosphateTrehalose 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 TrehaloseWater. 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