What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterNiacinamide
SmoothingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Dimethicone
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningC30-45 Alkyldimethylsilyl Polypropylsilsesquioxane
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Stearic Acid
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientAlumina
AbrasiveParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingIsostearic Acid
CleansingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAmodimethicone
Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, CI 77891, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Homosalate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Methyl Trimethicone, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Niacinamide, Phenyl Trimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Tromethamine, Alcohol Denat., PEG-10 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Sorbitan Olivate, CI 77492, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Aluminum Hydroxide, Panthenol, C30-45 Alkyldimethylsilyl Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Stearic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, CI 77491, Glyceryl Caprylate, Alumina, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Isostearic Acid, Adenosine, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, CI 77499, Isononyl Isononanoate, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Maltodextrin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Arginine, Carbomer, Amodimethicone, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclomethicone
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Glycol
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingArbutin
AntioxidantParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPolyethylene
AbrasiveTalc
AbrasivePhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Chloride
MaskingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantMethylparaben
PreservativeDimethicone
EmollientPropylparaben
PreservativeRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantFagus Sylvatica Bud Extract
TonicCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingHydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
MaskingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Cyclomethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Zinc Oxide, Propylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Arbutin, Paraffinum Liquidum, Glycerin, CI 77492, Polyethylene, Talc, Phenyl Trimethicone, Beeswax, Sodium Chloride, CI 77491, CI 77499, Methylparaben, Dimethicone, Propylparaben, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Algae Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Fagus Sylvatica Bud Extract, Ceramide NP, Parfum, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydroxycitronellal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Citronellol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AdenosineCaprylic/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 TriglycerideCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Dimethicone 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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPeg-10 Dimethicone is silicone with conditioner and emulsifier properties. It mostly acts as an emollient in skincare and and humectant in haircare.
According to the manufacturer, acidic formulations decrease the stability of this ingredient. It works best in neutral or near neutral formulations.
Phenyl Trimethicone is a silicon-based polymer. It is derived from silica.
Phenyl Trimethicone is used as an emollient and prevents products from foaming.
As an emollient, it helps trap moisture in the skin. It is considered an occlusive.
Learn more about Phenyl TrimethiconeSodium 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