What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingVinyldimethicone
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPalmitic Acid
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingTromethamine
BufferingMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Domestica Fruit Extract
MoisturisingCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialBetaine
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCanola Oil
EmollientCellulose
AbsorbentHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningWater, Panthenol, Squalane, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Beta-Sitosterol, Vinyldimethicone, C12-16 Alcohols, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Citrate, Dipropylene Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phytosterols, Citric Acid, Tromethamine, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Adenosine, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Disodium EDTA, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Betaine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Canola Oil, Cellulose, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Tocopherol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ceramide NP, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Beta-Glucan, Glyceryl Caprylate, Pentylene Glycol, Ceramide Ns, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Ceramide EOP
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingC12-14 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sucrose
HumectantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingAgrimonia Eupatoria Extract
AstringentSalvia Officinalis Oil
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSilybum Marianum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPerilla Frutescens Leaf Extract
MaskingSodium Chondroitin Sulfate
Skin ConditioningBroussonetia Kazinoki Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Capillaris Extract
Cimicifuga Dahurica Root Extract
AntioxidantSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Snail Secretion Filtrate, C12-14 Pareth-12, C12-14 Pareth-7, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Trehalose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Beta-Glucan, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Allantoin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Sucrose, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Agrimonia Eupatoria Extract, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Silybum Marianum Seed Extract, Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Broussonetia Kazinoki Root Extract, Propolis Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Cimicifuga Dahurica Root Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Madecassoside, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Phenoxyethanol
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 AdenosineBeta-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-GlucanDisodium 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 EthylhexylglycerinPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolTromethamine (aka THAM) is a synthetic amino acid that shows up in skincare as a helper ingredient.
It functions as a pH adjuster to help neutralize acidic ingredients and set a formula's pH to the right spot.
This matters a lot because a lot of actives (like vitamin C) needs a specific pH to work well and feel comfortable on skin.
Concentration use ranges from 0.1-1.0% depending on the formula.
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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