What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium PCA
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantCichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingDiamond Powder
AbrasiveGlycine
BufferingLeucine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingSerine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantGlutamic Acid
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingThreonine
Valine
MaskingAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantMethionine
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
SolventTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phytate
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Panthenol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium PCA, Caffeine, Trehalose, Acetyl Glucosamine, Beta-Glucan, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Ceramide NP, Betaine, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Diamond Powder, Glycine, Leucine, Arginine, Serine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Threonine, Valine, Alanine, Lysine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Cysteine, Methionine, Sorbitol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Propanediol, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Phytate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningAspergillus/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate Extract
AntioxidantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Water, Propanediol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Polyquaternium-51, Aspergillus/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate Extract, Adenosine, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate (GFF) is a byproduct of fermenting Galactomyces yeast (the same yeast traditionally used to brew sake, Japan's beloved rice wine).
Sake brewers have long been known for their remarkably youthful hands. This is what actually first sparked scientific interest in GFF's skin benefits.
GFF works by stimulating filaggrin production in the skin. Filaggrin is a protein that binds structural proteins in the outer skin layer together to form a tight barrier that shields against allergens, bacteria, and moisture loss.
It's also a key building block of our natural moisturizing factors (NMF), or the network of compounds that keep skin plump and hydrated.
By boosting filaggrin, GFF helps strengthen both our barrier and our skin's ability to retain moisture.
Beyond hydration, GFF has notable antioxidant properties that help protect against oxidative stress and UV-induced inflammation.
Research also suggests it may help regulate sebum and keratin production. This could be an interesting option for those concerned about oiliness or skin texture.
Fungal acne:
This ingredient doesn't contain fatty acids or oils that could feed Malassezia, and the yeast used to make it (Galactomyces) is a different genera of fungi from Malassezia. The presence of one doesn't stimulate the other.
However, there is a concern raised by some communities that this ingredient could trigger a reaction in people who are broadly sensitive to yeast/fungal-derived ingredients.
Learn more about Galactomyces Ferment FiltrateGlycerin (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 GlycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePentylene 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 GlycolPropanediol 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