What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Styrene/Vp Copolymer
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Illicium Verum Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Arginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract
AstringentAmaranthus Caudatus Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Veronica Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Styrene/Vp Copolymer, Panthenol, Allantoin, Betaine, Sodium PCA, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Arginine, Carbomer, Centella Asiatica Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Veronica Officinalis Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Beta-Glucan, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Betaine, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Allantoin, Sodium Phytate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum
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 AdenosineAllantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinBetaine 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 GlycolCaprylyl 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 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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium 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
