What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Squalane
Emollient
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion Stabilising
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Avena Sativa Straw Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion Stabilising
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Collageneer
Trehalose
Humectant
Avena Sativa Bran
Abrasive
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCeramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ascorbic Acid, Retinol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Arbutin, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Collageneer, Trehalose, Avena Sativa Bran, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Ceramide EOP, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Alternatives
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-8This ingredient comes from the root of Paeonia albiflora, aka as Radix Paeoniae Alba or the Chinese peony. It has skin conditioning properties and is rich in antioxidant compounds.
Recent research shows Paeonia Albiflora root extract helps slow down glycation. Glycation is a process where sugars damage skin proteins and contribute to dullness/uneven skin tone.
In human studies, a lotion with 1% Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract led to lower melanin levels and fewer visible dark spots after two weeks of use. In vitro and ex vivo studies support its role in regulating the process of pigment production and reducing inflammation in skin cells.
Additionally, this ingredient has been shown to promote keratinocyte migration and proliferation in wound healing models.
Paeonia Albiflora root extract is water-soluble and has a low irritation profile for most skin types. Like other botanical extracts, patch testing is recommended for people who have known plant allergies or reactive skin.
Learn more about Paeonia Albiflora Root ExtractRetinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.
Why is retinol famous?
It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.
Retinol is proven to:
This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.
Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.
Read about Tretinoin
Learn more about RetinolSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide are the sugars from the snow mushroom.
Snow mushroom is rich in polysaccharides, giving it moisturizing benefits. As a humectant, snow mushroom helps draw moisture from the air to the skin. Polysaccharides are able to mimic our skin's natural carbohydrates to help the skin retain water.
