Skin science article
Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ Youth Power Creme Versus Mary Kay TimeWise Repair Volu-Firm® Advanced Lifting Serum
Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ Youth Power Creme Versus Mary Kay TimeWise Repair Volu-Firm® Advanced Lifting Serum This anti-aging day moisturizer is formulated around Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract and Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 to soften the look of wrinkles an
Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ Youth Power Creme Versus Mary Kay TimeWise Repair Volu-Firm® Advanced Lifting Serum
This anti-aging day moisturizer is formulated around Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract and Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin.
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Tripeptide-1 to soften the look of wrinkles.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Dimethicone
Glycerin
Isohexadecane
Butylene Glycol
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Disteardimonium Hectorite
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Hibiscus Sinensis Flower Extract
Sodium Hyaluronate
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Whey Protein
Opuntia Tuna Fruit Extract
Acetyl Glucosamine
Tocopheryl Acetate
Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract
Squalane
Algae Extract
Hypnea Musciformis Extract
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Silybum Marianum Extract
Gelidiella Acerosa Extract
Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Caffeine
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
Sodium Lactate
Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Sorbitol
Propylene Glycol Dicaprate
Sucrose
Sodium PCA
Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Pentylene Glycol
Caprylyl Glycol
Propylene Carbonate
Polyethylene
Polysilicone-11
PEG-32
PEG-6
Disodium EDTA
Isoceteth-20
Isododecane
Citric Acid
Parfum
BHT
Sodium Citrate
Potassium Sorbate
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Sodium Benzoate
Phenoxyethanol
CI 77491
Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Butylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Hibiscus Sinensis Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Whey Protein, Opuntia Tuna Fruit Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Squalane, Algae Extract, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Silybum Marianum Extract, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Caffeine, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Sodium Lactate, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Sorbitol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Sucrose, Sodium PCA, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Carbonate, Polyethylene, Polysilicone-11, PEG-32, PEG-6, Disodium EDTA, Isoceteth-20, Isododecane, Citric Acid, Parfum, BHT, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77491
Cyclopentasiloxane
Silica
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Vp/Va Copolymer
Polysorbate 40
Mica
Chlorphenesin
Alpinia Galanga Leaf Extract
Menthyl Lactate
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
Sodium Chloride
Secale Cereale Seed Extract
Centella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture
Cyclohexasiloxane
Triethanolamine
Dihydroxy Methylchromone
Pisum Sativum Extract
Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Xanthan Gum
Caprylic Acid
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Tin Oxide
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Cyclodextrin
Maltodextrin
Alteromonas Ferment Filtrate
Tocopherol
Dextran
Tripeptide-1
CI 77891
Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Silica, Glycerin, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polysilicone-11, Pentylene Glycol, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Vp/Va Copolymer, Polysorbate 40, Sorbitol, Mica, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Alpinia Galanga Leaf Extract, Menthyl Lactate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Sodium Chloride, Secale Cereale Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture, Cyclohexasiloxane, Disodium EDTA, Triethanolamine, Dihydroxy Methylchromone, Pisum Sativum Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Caprylic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Citrate, Tin Oxide, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Cyclodextrin, Maltodextrin, Alteromonas Ferment Filtrate, Tocopherol, Dextran, Tripeptide-1, CI 77891
Reviews
Be the first to review
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
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.
Disodium 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%.
Glycerin (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.
Peg-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.
Pentylene 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%.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Polysilicone-11 is a film-forming silicone that creates a non-tacky and matte finish on the skin. It's commonly used to improve texture, absorb excess oil, and help active ingredients spread evenly.
Due to its "rubber-like" structure, it stays on the skin's surface instead of being absorbed. On the skin, it creates a flexible layer that enhances wearability and stability.
Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
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.
Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.
As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.
It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.
Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.
Water. 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!