What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTriethylhexanoin
MaskingHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Methylpropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Collagen Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water, Triethylhexanoin, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Oryza Sativa Extract, Polyquaternium-51, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Adenosine, Sodium Phytate, Tocopherol, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Collagen Extract
Oryza Sativa Bran Water
Masking
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Glycine
Buffering
Serine
Masking
Rice Amino Acids
Skin Conditioning
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Lysine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
Masking
Threonine
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Oryza Sativa Bran Water, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycereth-26, Octyldodecanol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Water, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactobacillus Ferment, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Phosphatidylcholine, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Ceramide NP, Glycine, Serine, Rice Amino Acids, Glutamic Acid, Lysine, Alanine, Threonine, Proline, Arginine
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 EthylhexylglycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier.
It rounds up dirt, oil, and grime, so they can be rinsed off easily as a cleanser.
On the emulsifier side, it keeps your formula smooth and well-mixed by playing peacekeeper for ingredients that don't naturally get along (like oil and water).
Because it has a C12 (lauric acid) fatty acid chain, this ingredient can potentially feed the Malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne. The Malassezia yeast prefers esters with C11-C24 fatty acids.
This ingredient is an ester of lauric acid and Polyglycerin-10.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 LauratePropanediol 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
