What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Diethylhexyl Adipate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
Taraxacum Officinale Root
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
S-Mu-Conotoxin Cniiic
Skin ProtectingChlorella Sorokiniana Extract
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Lindera Strychnifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Polyglucuronic Acid
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract
Antioxidant
Acetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingIsomalt
HumectantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
Abrasive
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Lecithin
Emollient
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTin Oxide
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyvinyl Alcohol
D-Arginyl Tyrosinyl Ornithinyl Phenylalanine
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Diethylhexyl Adipate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Jojoba Esters, Coconut Alkanes, Taraxacum Officinale Root, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, S-Mu-Conotoxin Cniiic, Chlorella Sorokiniana Extract, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Pentapeptide-4, Lindera Strychnifolia Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phytosterols, Ubiquinone, Polyglucuronic Acid, Phospholipids, Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract, Acetyl Glutamine, Benzyl Alcohol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Isomalt, CI 77891, Silica, Mica, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Maltodextrin, Lecithin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Tin Oxide, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Polyvinyl Alcohol, D-Arginyl Tyrosinyl Ornithinyl Phenylalanine, Potassium Sorbate
Sea Water 66.01%
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantBetaine
Humectant
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion Stabilising
Salicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSea Water 66.01%, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Betaine, Ectoin, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Adenosine, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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-8Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerButylene 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 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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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
