What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningStyrene/Vp Copolymer
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Illicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAlchemilla Vulgaris Extract
AstringentAmaranthus Caudatus Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingVeronica Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveSambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantWater, 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 ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCream
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingYogurt
Skin ProtectingNiacinamide
SmoothingAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCetyl Alcohol
EmollientLactic Acid
BufferingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantTriethanolamine
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingWater, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Cream, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Yogurt, Niacinamide, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Betaine, Propanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Lactic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Triethanolamine, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Allantoin, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Gluconate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum
Reviews
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-8Allantoin 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. Itβs 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 BetaineCaprylyl 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 GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideWater. 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