What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Isononanoate
Emollient
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Propanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingAcmella Oleracea Extract
Skin ProtectingCeteareth-12
EmulsifyingCetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Erythritol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carrageenan
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Water, Phenethyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Glyceryl Stearate, Trideceth-6, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Ceteareth-12, Cetyl Palmitate, Sodium PCA, Pentylene Glycol, Erythritol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Carrageenan, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Propanediol
Solvent
Pentapeptide-34 Trifluoroacetate
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Escin
TonicPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
PEG-9 Diglycidyl Ether/Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMenaquinone-7
AntiseborrhoeicSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Bakuchiol, Copper Tripeptide-1, Polyglutamic Acid, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Bisabolol, Phytosphingosine, Ferulic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Beta-Glucan, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Propanediol, Pentapeptide-34 Trifluoroacetate, Cholesterol, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Allantoin, Arginine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Escin, Phenoxyethanol, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, PEG-9 Diglycidyl Ether/Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Menaquinone-7, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid
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
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (also known as Argireline) is a synthetic hexapeptide that is often called a "topical Botox alternative".
It works by mimicking how Botox relaxes muscles; it interferes with the signaling process that tells your facial muscles to contract. This can help soften expression lines like forehead wrinkles or crow's feet over time.
The comparison to Botox does have limits because the molecule is water-loving and relatively large.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 has a hard time absorbing deeply enough through the skin's outer barrier to actually reach the muscles.
So whether it truly works the way Botox does at a biological level is still up for debate, but early clinical outcomes are fairly encouraging.
A 12 week human study of a multi-ingredient regimen containing this ingredient saw:
While some studies have observed improvements in wrinkle appearance, it is important to note that more consistent results are seen in multi-ingredient formulations (vs just Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 alone).
Some research studies also used higher concentrations (up to 10%) while this ingredient is usually found in concentrations up to 0.005% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about Acetyl Hexapeptide-8Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinThis ingredient is created by putting sodium hyaluronate through hydrolysis.
You might know this as 'mini' or 'ultra low-molecular weight' hyaluronic acid. The small molecule size means it is able to travel deeper in the skin.
According to studies, low molecular-weight hyaluronic acid can:
One study from 2011 found ultra-low weight HA to show pro-inflammatory properties. Another study from 2022 found it to downregulate UV-B induced inflammation.
Hydrolysis is a process of changing a molecule using water or enzymes.
This ingredient is water-soluble.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Sodium HyaluronatePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read about common types of Hyaluronic Acid here:
Learn more about Sodium Acetylated HyaluronateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
