What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Benzophenone-3
UV Absorber
Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate
Emollient
Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Algae Extract
EmollientLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Dehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Homosalate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Methyl Trimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Benzophenone-3, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Octocrylene, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, PEG-100 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Algae Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Ergothioneine, Sorbitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Cetyl Alcohol, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Saccharide Isomerate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Stearic Acid, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Mica
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Rhodochrosite Extract
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Squalane
Emollient
Trisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningFaex Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Spinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentAlgae Extract
EmollientBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Folic Acid
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine Dipalmitate
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emulsifying
C12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLimonene
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
BHT
Antioxidant
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Dimethicone, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Butylene Glycol, PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-40 Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Rhodochrosite Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Squalane, Trisiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Faex Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Spinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Algae Extract, Beta-Carotene, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Caffeine, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine Dipalmitate, Cyanocobalamin, Niacinamide, Retinyl Palmitate, Phytosphingosine, Parfum, Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, C12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, BHT, Sorbic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Algae Extract is a confusing name. This is because algae is an informal term for a group of 30,000 aquatic organisms that can photosynthesize.
The term 'algae extract' can refer to any one, or a blend of, the 30,000 types.
Algae is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Algae can also help with soothing and hydrating skin.
Many different types of algae have different benefits.
Learn more about Algae ExtractButylene 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 GlycolCaffeine 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 CaffeineCaprylyl 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlyceryl 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 StearateLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
