What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Quercus Acuta Branch/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyacrylamide
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polysilicone-11
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingNylon-12
Silica
Abrasive
Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 40
Emulsifying
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantJuniperus Mexicana Oil
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
Masking
Dextrin
AbsorbentPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Water, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Dimethicone, Quercus Acuta Branch/Leaf Extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Beeswax, Sorbitan Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Polyacrylamide, Palmitic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysilicone-11, Stearic Acid, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Nylon-12, Silica, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Adenosine, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Laureth-7, Disodium EDTA, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 40, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Caramel, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil, Dextrin, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Tribehenin
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingSpent Grain Wax
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Perilla Ocymoides Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Betaine
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Extract, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Squalane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tribehenin, Stearic Acid, Behenic Acid, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tromethamine, Spent Grain Wax, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Perilla Ocymoides Seed Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Betaine, Beta-Glucan, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Carbomer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Adenosine, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide NP, Madecassic Acid, Tocopherol
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 AdenosineBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerCetearyl 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.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
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 GlycerinLavandula Angustifolia Oil is more commonly known as lavender essential oil. It is considered a fragrancing ingredient.
Lavender imparts a famous scent. While the smell is lovely, this ingredient and may sensitize skin in topical products. This is because about 85% of the oil is made up of linalool and linalyl acetate.
When exposed to air, these two compounds become strong allergens. This ingredient exhibits cytotoxicity at low concentrations; amounts of 0.25% have been shown to damage skin cells.
A study from Japan found this ingredient caused lavender sensitivity after widespread exposure.
Lavender essential oil has some antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the cons of this ingredient may outweight the pros.
More research is needed to confirm lavender essential oil's effects when used in aromatherapy.
Lavandula Angustifolia is known as the English Lavender and famous for creating purple fields in Provence, France.
Learn more about Lavandula Angustifolia OilStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTromethamine (aka THAM) is a synthetic amino acid that shows up in skincare as a helper ingredient.
It functions as a pH adjuster to help neutralize acidic ingredients and set a formula's pH to the right spot.
This matters a lot because a lot of actives (like vitamin C) needs a specific pH to work well and feel comfortable on skin.
Concentration use ranges from 0.1-1.0% depending on the formula.
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
