What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Collagen Amino Acids
Moisturising
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Pullulan
Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate
Emulsifying
C9-12 Alkane
SolventCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
2,3-Butanediol
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-76
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Propanediol, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, C12-16 Alcohols, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Squalane, Niacinamide, Bakuchiol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Caffeine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Collagen Amino Acids, Cetearyl Alcohol, Triheptanoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitic Acid, Ceramide As, Pullulan, Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate, C9-12 Alkane, Centella Asiatica Extract, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, 2,3-Butanediol, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Stearate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-76, Ceramide EOP
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearate
CleansingXylitol
Humectant
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Oleth-20
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Dicapryl Succinate
Emollient
Menthone Glycerin Acetal
Refreshing
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Sodium Chloride
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Stearate, Xylitol, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Oleth-20, Glycerin, Caffeine, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium PCA, Dicapryl Succinate, Menthone Glycerin Acetal, Menthyl Lactate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Lactate, Tin Oxide, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77891, CI 42090, CI 19140
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caffeine is a naturally occurring plant compound found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa pods, and guarana.
As an antioxidant, caffeine protects your skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and envionrmnetal stressors.
Early research also shows that caffeine can help calm redness, soothe irritated skin, and support hair growth by stimulating microcirculation in the scalp.
You might have seen eye creams marketing caffeine as a depuffing ingredient. This is because it is a vasoconstrictor meaning it can temporarily constrict blood vessels, though clinical evidence for this specific use is still limited.
Most skincare products contain this ingredient at concentrations between 1-6%. It is able to penetrate skin easily regardless of skin type or thickness.
Just so you know, a very small number of case reports describe caffeine-induced allergy. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing for the majority of people.
Learn more about CaffeineGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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
