What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Trifluoropropyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingArginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Trehalose
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantStearic Acid
Cleansing
Dextrin
AbsorbentAnastatica Hierochuntica Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Oligopeptide-29
Antioxidant
Oligopeptide-32
Antiseborrhoeic
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C14-22 Alcohols, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Trifluoropropyl Dimethicone, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Arginine, Carbomer, Allantoin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Betaine, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Trehalose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Stearic Acid, Dextrin, Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Beta-Glucan, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Hyaluronic Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Oligopeptide-29, Oligopeptide-32, Potassium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Ceramide EOP
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Saccharomyces/Viscum Album Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Imperata Cylindrica Root Ferment Extract
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Betaine, Glycerin, Chlorphenesin, Saccharomyces/Viscum Album Ferment Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Saccharomyces/Imperata Cylindrica Root Ferment Extract, Disodium EDTA, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Citric Acid
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
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-8Betaine 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinYou might know this ingredient as Matrixyl. It is a synthetic peptide made up of five amino acids attached to a palmitic acid, a fatty acid that helps it absorb into skin more easily.
As a signal peptide, Matrixyl acts like a little messenger. Once it reaches your skin cells, it tells them to ramp up production of collagen, elastin, and other proteins that keep skin looking firm and smooth.
A 12 week clinical study found that a moisturizer containing just 3 ppm of Matrixyl led to a significant improvement in fine-lines and wrinkles. Another study showed an 18% reduction in wrinkle depth, 37% reduction in wrinkle thickness, and a 21% improvement in skin firmness after just 28 days of twice-daily use.
The coolest part is that it works at incredibly low concentrations (like 0.0003%) and it plays well with other actives.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel found it to be non-sensitizing across multiple tests and human patch tests also showed no irritation or sensitization.
Fun fact: Matrixyl was originally developed by French company Sederma and Procter & Gamble.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4Sodium 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 Water
