This anti-aging moisturizer is formulated around Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Hyaluronic Acid to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientDimethyl Sulfone
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarrageenan
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantPolyacrylamide
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying3-Aminopropane Sulfonic Acid
SurfactantCalcium Hydroxymethionine
Skin ConditioningC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLaureth-7
EmulsifyingDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPaullinia Cupana Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Flower Extract
PerfumingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Hyaluronic Acid, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Dimethyl Sulfone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Glucoside, Squalane, Panthenol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Beeswax, Pentylene Glycol, Carbomer, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Xanthan Gum, Carrageenan, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Polyacrylamide, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Polysorbate 20, 3-Aminopropane Sulfonic Acid, Calcium Hydroxymethionine, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Laureth-7, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingBakuchiol
AntimicrobialGigartina Stellata Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrolyzed Eragrostis Tef Seed Extract
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingCitrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPullulan
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Betaine
HumectantLecithin
EmollientSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingRubus Idaeus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventParfum
MaskingCitronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Bakuchiol, Gigartina Stellata Extract, Hydrolyzed Eragrostis Tef Seed Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pullulan, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Betaine, Lecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Propanediol, Parfum, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCarbomer 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 CarbomerCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCetearyl Glucoside is a sugar-based emulsifier. It is usually made by combining cetearyl alcohol and glucose.
Belonging to the aklyl polyglucoside (APG) family, Cetearyl Glucoside has a sugar "head" that loves water and a fatty "tail" that loves oil. This means it can shuffle oil and water into a stable and smooth emulsion.
Typical use levels are between 1-5% and this ingredient is considered to be non-irritating by the CIR Expert Panel Review.
Once applied, your skin's glucoside hydrolases breaks it down to the parent fatty alcohol and glucose. This is why this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl GlucosideEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilPentylene 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 GlycolPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum