What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientDiglycerin
HumectantPentaerythrityl Distearate
EmulsifyingJojoba Esters
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientNylon-6/12
AbsorbentGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningIsostearic Acid
CleansingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasivePentaerythritol
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Stearate
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-20
CleansingCalcium Chloride
AstringentBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Diglycerin, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Jojoba Esters, Dimethicone, Nylon-6/12, Glyceryl Behenate, CI 77891, Mica, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Caffeine, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Chlorphenesin, Caramel, Carbomer, Ascorbyl Glucoside, CI 77492, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Tocopherol, Silica, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Caprylyl Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Isostearic Acid, CI 77491, Tin Oxide, Pentaerythritol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Stearate, Citric Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Helianthus Annuus Leaf/Stem Extract, Ceteareth-20, Calcium Chloride, Benzyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycereth-26
HumectantButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientBis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol Dibenzoate
Skin ConditioningPullulan
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientVinyldimethicone
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningPolyisobutene
Butylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Nobilis Peel Extract
MaskingRetinol
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Extensin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycereth-26, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Pullulan, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Vinyldimethicone, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Dna, Polyisobutene, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Adenosine, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Cyanocobalamin, Citrus Nobilis Peel Extract, Retinol, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Lespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Extensin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Copper Tripeptide-1, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, commonly known as Argireline or Acetyl Hexapeptide-3, is a popular peptide in skincare. Itās often referred to as a āBotox-likeā ingredient because it helps reduce muscle movement.
By relaxing these micro-movements, Argireline may help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. That said, itās not as powerful as Botox, and research on its long-term effectiveness is still limited.
Beyond smoothing, Argireline may also support collagen production. Collagen is the protein that helps keep your skin firm, bouncy, and well-hydrated by strengthening the skin barrier.
So while Argireline isnāt a miracle fix, it can be a helpful addition to a routine focused on both prevention and skin health.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Acetyl Hexapeptide-8Butylene 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 GlycolCaffeine is a naturally occurring plant compound found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa pods, and guarana.
As an antioxidant, caffeine protects your skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and envionrmnetal stressors.
Early research also shows that caffeine can help calm redness, soothe irritated skin, and support hair growth by stimulating microcirculation in the scalp.
You might have seen eye creams marketing caffeine as a depuffing ingredient. This is because it is a vasoconstrictor meaning it can temporarily constrict blood vessels, though clinical evidence for this specific use is still limited.
Most skincare products contain this ingredient at concentrations between 1-6%. It is able to penetrate skin easily regardless of skin type or thickness.
Just so you know, a very small number of case reports describe caffeine-induced allergy. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing for the majority of people.
Learn more about CaffeineCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Niacinamide 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 NiacinamidePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās 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 PropanediolSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateWater. 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