What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Succinic Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sr-Clostridium Botulinum Polypeptide-1 Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Antioxidant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycereth-26, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Gluconolactone, Succinic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tripeptide-1, Sr-Clostridium Botulinum Polypeptide-1 Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Silk
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingPPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Chondrus Crispus Powder
Abrasive
Agar
MaskingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Glycine Soja Peptide
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantGellan Gum
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientBenzyl Glycol
SolventLecithin
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sh-Polypeptide-121
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Palmitoyl Sarcosinate
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Caffeoyl Hexapeptide-65
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Acetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningHeptasodium Hexacarboxymethyl Dipeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Bacillus/Folic Acid/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningGold
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Phosphate
BufferingCollagen
Moisturising
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Skin Conditioning
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-123
Skin Protecting
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Dextran
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Hydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Decapeptide-7
Antioxidant
Sh-Octapeptide-4
Antioxidant
Sh-Oligopeptide-9
Humectant
Sh-Pentapeptide-19
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-32
Skin Conditioning
Sr-(Oligopeptide-91 Clostridium Botulinum Polypeptide-1)
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-16
Skin Protecting
Sh-Polypeptide-22
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-19
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-62
Antioxidant
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Silk, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Carbomer, Tromethamine, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Propanediol, Adenosine, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Agar, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Glycine Soja Peptide, Betaine, Panthenol, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, Mica, Gellan Gum, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Tin Oxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Squalane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Benzyl Glycol, Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sh-Polypeptide-121, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Palmitoyl Sarcosinate, Tocopherol, Caffeoyl Hexapeptide-65, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Acetyl Glutamine, Heptasodium Hexacarboxymethyl Dipeptide-12, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Bacillus/Folic Acid/Soybean Ferment Extract, Gold, Sodium Phosphate, Collagen, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-4, Sh-Polypeptide-123, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Dextran, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-5, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sh-Decapeptide-7, Sh-Octapeptide-4, Sh-Oligopeptide-9, Sh-Pentapeptide-19, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-32, Sr-(Oligopeptide-91 Clostridium Botulinum Polypeptide-1), Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sh-Polypeptide-16, Sh-Polypeptide-22, Sh-Polypeptide-3, Sh-Polypeptide-19, Sh-Polypeptide-62, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
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
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-8Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerAdenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinYou might know this ingredient as Matrixyl. It is a synthetic peptide made up of five amino acids attached to a palmitic acid, a fatty acid that helps it absorb into skin more easily.
As a signal peptide, Matrixyl acts like a little messenger. Once it reaches your skin cells, it tells them to ramp up production of collagen, elastin, and other proteins that keep skin looking firm and smooth.
A 12 week clinical study found that a moisturizer containing just 3 ppm of Matrixyl led to a significant improvement in fine-lines and wrinkles. Another study showed an 18% reduction in wrinkle depth, 37% reduction in wrinkle thickness, and a 21% improvement in skin firmness after just 28 days of twice-daily use.
The coolest part is that it works at incredibly low concentrations (like 0.0003%) and it plays well with other actives.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel found it to be non-sensitizing across multiple tests and human patch tests also showed no irritation or sensitization.
Fun fact: Matrixyl was originally developed by French company Sederma and Procter & Gamble.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4Sodium 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 HyaluronateTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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
