What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Calcium Chloride
AstringentCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Chondrus Crispus Powder
Abrasive
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
Perfuming
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Prunella Vulgaris Extract
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Gold
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Calcium Chloride, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Allantoin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, CI 77891, CI 77491, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Malt Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Beta-Glucan, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Prunella Vulgaris Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Parfum, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Gold
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Alanine
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Cysteine
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
Humectant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlycine
Buffering
Histidine
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningLysine
Skin ConditioningMethionine
Skin ConditioningMyrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNatto Gum
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Phenylalanine
Masking
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Serine
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Threonine
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tyrosine
MaskingValine
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Alanine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1, Cysteine, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glutamic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glycine, Histidine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Natto Gum, Panthenol, Phenylalanine, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Proline, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Serine, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Threonine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tyrosine, Valine, Xanthan Gum
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-8Beta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanButylene 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 HydroxyethylcellulosePanthenol 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 PanthenolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
