What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-40 Stearate
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningRhodochrosite Extract
AntioxidantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantSqualane
EmollientTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSpinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentAlgae Extract
EmollientBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine Dipalmitate
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMethyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmulsifyingC12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBHT
AntioxidantSorbic Acid
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, 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, Yeast 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
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningIsostearyl Palmitate
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveButylene Glycol
HumectantPolysilicone-11
Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMorus Bombycis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentLactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCholesterol
EmollientLinoleic Acid
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPyridoxine Dipalmitate
Skin ConditioningSucrose
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Laurate
EmollientPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPetrolatum
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPropylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Chloride
MaskingQuaternium-90 Bentonite
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeIron Oxides
Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Isostearyl Palmitate, Polyethylene, Butylene Glycol, Polysilicone-11, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Morus Bombycis Root Extract, Caffeine, Phytosphingosine, Triticum Vulgare Bran Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Lactis Proteinum, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cholesterol, Linoleic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Pyridoxine Dipalmitate, Sucrose, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Laurate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Petrolatum, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides
Reviews
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.
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 CaffeineDimethicone 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.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP) is a water-soluble form of Vitamin C. It is used in skincare because it tends to be more formulation friendly than pure vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
According to research, MAP has three major benefits:
While MAP is gentler on the skin than ascorbic acid, it is thought to be less easily absorbed into the skin.
In a well-known absorption study, pure vitamin C increased skin vitamin C levels when formulated correctly, but derivatives like MAP did not in that experiment. This suggests MAP may not always convert into active vitamin C in the skin.
Due to MAP's stability up to a pH level of 7, it is more stable to air and sunlight exposure than ascorbic acid. The best pH range for MAP is between 5 and 6.
Learn more about Magnesium Ascorbyl PhosphatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Phytosphingosine is a phospholipid naturally found in our skin as a building block for ceramides.. It helps moisturize, soothe, and protect skin.
Phytosphingosine contributes to your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF). The NMF is responsible for hydration, a strong barrier, and plasticity. Our NMF decreases with age. Increasing NMF leads to more healthy and hydrated skin.
Studies show products formulated with NMF ingredients help strengthen our skin's barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier reduces irritation and increases hydration. Our skin barrier is responsible for having plump and firm skin. It also helps protect our skin against infection, allergies, and inflammation.
Fun fact: Phytosphingosine is abundant in plants and fungi.
More ingredients that help boost collagen in skin:
Learn more about PhytosphingosineWe don't have a description for Pyridoxine Dipalmitate yet.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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