What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Isohexadecane
EmollientC32-36 Isoalkyl Stearate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientBis-PEG-12 Dimethicone Beeswax
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Water, Glycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Phenoxyethanol, Isohexadecane, C32-36 Isoalkyl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Soluble Collagen, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Bis-PEG-12 Dimethicone Beeswax, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Glucoside, Stearic Acid, Zea Mays Starch, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Sodium Hydroxide, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Nut Extract
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Moschata Seed Oil
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Magnesium Sulfate
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-37
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialRibes Nigrum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Echinacea Purpurea Extract
MoisturisingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Citrus Tangerina Peel Extract
AstringentVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Isohexadecane, Dimethicone, Beeswax, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Hexyl Laurate, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Nut Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Rosa Moschata Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Magnesium Sulfate, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Magnesium Stearate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-37, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Citrus Tangerina Peel Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Triethyl Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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-8Caprylic/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 GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecanePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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
