What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Juglans Regia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Dextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Honey
Humectant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Polygonatum Odoratum Rhizome Extract
Skin ConditioningOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
Humectant
Citronellol
Perfuming
Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lentinus Edodes Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Soybean Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Juglans Regia Seed Extract, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Xanthan Gum, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Parfum, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Limonene, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Honey, Madecassoside, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Polygonatum Odoratum Rhizome Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Linalool, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Citronellol, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Lentinus Edodes Extract, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Soybean Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Arginine
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCarrageenan
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycereth-26, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Arginine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Carrageenan, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Panthenol, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Propanediol, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid
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 AdenosineButylene 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 EthylhexylglycerinLycium Chinense Fruit Extract comes from a type of goji berry plant.
Goji berries contain polysaccharides, carotenoids and flavonoids. These give it antioxidant properties that protect your skin from free-radical molecules.
Polysaccharides help hydrate the top layer of skin due to its ability to mimic natural carbohydrates.
Learn more about Lycium Chinense Fruit ExtractPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 Water
