What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantMethylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingPPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSilk Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningIron Powder
Agar
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Betaine
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantGellan Gum
Hydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPropanediol
SolventMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPolygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientAcetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTin Oxide
AbrasiveGold
Cosmetic ColorantSqualane
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientBenzyl Glycol
SolventSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin ConditioningBacillus
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantCollagen
MoisturisingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantCaffeoyl Hexapeptide-65
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSh-Decapeptide-7
AntioxidantSh-Octapeptide-4
AntioxidantSh-Oligopeptide-9
HumectantSh-Pentapeptide-19
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Carbomer, Tromethamine, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Silk Extract, Adenosine, Iron Powder, Agar, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Betaine, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, Mica, Gellan Gum, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Centella Asiatica Extract, Propanediol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Polygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract, Lecithin, Acetyl Glutamine, Phenoxyethanol, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tin Oxide, Gold, Squalane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Benzyl Glycol, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Bacillus, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Collagen, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Caffeoyl Hexapeptide-65, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sh-Decapeptide-7, Sh-Octapeptide-4, Sh-Oligopeptide-9, Sh-Pentapeptide-19, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Hyaluronic Acid, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycereth-26
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingVinyldimethicone
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningBakuchiol
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sponge
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
HumectantDioscorea Villosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAbelmoschus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingGlucose
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin ConditioningAtelocollagen
Skin ConditioningDesamido Collagen
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientSoluble Collagen
HumectantCollagen
MoisturisingCollagen Amino Acids
MoisturisingProcollagen
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Glycereth-26, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Vinyldimethicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sorbitan Stearate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Panthenol, Bakuchiol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract, Abelmoschus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Root Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Glucose, Ceramide NP, Glycolipids, Retinal, Atelocollagen, Desamido Collagen, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Soluble Collagen, Collagen, Collagen Amino Acids, Procollagen
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
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCollagen is the most abundant type of structural protein found in your body. It is an effective skin moisturizer.
There is no conclusive proof that collagen is used by skin when applied topically. However, it is a great humectant that hydrates skin. Hydrated skin is associated with increased elasticity and a decrease in the appearance of wrinkles. It is also essential for maintaining a healthy skin barrier.
Biologically, collagen is responsible for keeping skin firm and youthful. Collagen is comprised mostly of glycine, proline, and hydroxypoline. These are amino acids.
Collagen will not increase sun sensitivity, but you should always wear sunscreen during the day.
Learn more about hydrolyzed collagen here.
Learn more about CollagenDisodium 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 GlycerinHydrolyzed collagen has a misleading name because it is actually a mixture of various proteins/peptides. This ingredient has skin hydrating properties.
Collagen is the most abundant type of structural protein found in your body. In your skin, it is responsible for keeping it firm and youthful.
Hydrolyzed Collagen is created by breaking up proteins into smaller peptide bonds. These peptides act as humectants and emollients.
Humectants are great at holding onto water, keeping skin hydrated. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
There is ongoing debate about whether hydrolyzed collagen works because it increases skin hydration. Skin hydration is also linked to elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles.
Collagen or peptide ingredients can be used in the morning or night. They will not increase sun sensitivity, but you should always wear sunscreen during the day.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is a great hair conditioner as well.
This ingredient can be extracted from different sources, including:
Vegan collagen is derived from yeast, bacteria, or plant sources. Vegan collagen would go by a different INCI name, such as hydrolyzed soy protein.
The results are varied.
A study from 2021 found hydrolyzed collagen increased elasticity and improved wrinkles in 1,125 participants between age 20 and 70. Another study found increased skin thickness in participants between the ages of 45 to 59.
However, It is difficult to prove that oral collagen will end up working on your skin. Many of the studies using hydrolyzed collagen also add several vitamins and nutrients into the test mixture as well.
Further studies are needed at this time.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed CollagenNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePanthenol 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 PanthenolTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
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