What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Gardenia Florida Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Water
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Graveolens Extract
Masking
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Laminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Bellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Juniperus Virginiana Oil
Masking
Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
Masking
Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
Masking
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Octyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
Buffering3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin
AbsorbentEctoin
Skin Conditioning
Copaifera Officinalis Resin
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Tetrahydropiperine
Skin ConditioningPhloretin
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitronellol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Water, Propanediol, Isopentyldiol, Butylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Gardenia Florida Flower Extract, Salvia Officinalis Water, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Octyldodeceth-16, Carbomer, Tromethamine, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Adenosine, Fructooligosaccharides, Disodium EDTA, Panthenol, Beta-Glucan, Ceramide NP, Dextrin, Ectoin, Copaifera Officinalis Resin, Cyanocobalamin, Arginine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Tetrahydropiperine, Phloretin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citronellol, Linalool, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Jojoba Oil PEG-150 Esters
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Rhizobian Gum
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Rubus Fruticosus Leaf Extract
MaskingLonicera Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLitchi Chinensis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
PEG-150
HumectantSqualane
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Sorbitol
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Algin
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolyvinyl Alcohol
Lactic Acid
Buffering
BHT
Antioxidant
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicLinalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Jojoba Oil PEG-150 Esters, Pentylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Acacia Senegal Gum, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Rhizobian Gum, Xanthan Gum, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rubus Fruticosus Leaf Extract, Lonicera Japonica Leaf Extract, Litchi Chinensis Seed Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, PEG-150, Squalane, Lecithin, Carbomer, Sorbitan Laurate, Sorbitol, Parfum, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Maltodextrin, Algin, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyquaternium-51, Adenosine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Lactic Acid, BHT, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Biotin, Linalool, Citronellol, Phenoxyethanol
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 AdenosineButylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolWater. 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
