What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Caffeine 4.8%
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Beheneth-25
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Isosorbide Dicaprylate
Skin ConditioningTribehenin
Emollient
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Citronellyl Methylcrotonate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Propanediol, Caffeine 4.8%, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Maltodextrin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Beheneth-25, Glyceryl Stearate, Isosorbide Dicaprylate, Tribehenin, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Citronellyl Methylcrotonate, Phenoxyethanol, Ferulic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polysorbate 80, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Heptyl Undecylenate
EmollientBakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Pullulan
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract
Masking
Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Heptyl Undecylenate, Bakuchiol, Pullulan, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caffeine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Stearic Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol
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 CaffeineEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolWater. 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
