What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientPetrolatum
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Triethyl Citrate
MaskingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Lactate
BufferingCholesterol
EmollientPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingBenzoic Acid
MaskingWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Petrolatum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Triethyl Citrate, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Lactate, Cholesterol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Phenoxyethanol, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Benzoic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientPolysilicone-11
Swertia Chirata Extract
HumectantNarcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract
AstringentLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingCordyceps Sinensis Extract
AntioxidantFuscoporia Obliqua Sclerotium Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
HumectantHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingAsparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingAlgae Extract
EmollientPorphyridium Cruentum Extract
Skin ConditioningAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEuphrasia Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantGelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemia Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantSorbitol
HumectantAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningLauryl PCA
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningLactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantGold
Cosmetic ColorantHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningDecarboxy Carnosine Hcl
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientPearl Powder
Ergothioneine
AntioxidantLinoleic Acid
CleansingGlucose
HumectantGlycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningSucrose
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Cellulose
AbsorbentPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingAlumina
AbrasiveNylon-12
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
BHT
AntioxidantEthylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
AntioxidantSodium Sulfite
PreservativeSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Polysilicone-11, Swertia Chirata Extract, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Fuscoporia Obliqua Sclerotium Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Algae Extract, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Euphrasia Officinalis Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Artemia Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isononyl Isononanoate, Trehalose, Sorbitol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Caffeine, Lauryl PCA, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Lactis Proteinum, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Gold, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Decarboxy Carnosine Hcl, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Pearl Powder, Ergothioneine, Linoleic Acid, Glucose, Glycine Soja Protein, Yeast Extract, Sucrose, Citric Acid, Hexylene Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Cellulose, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Alumina, Nylon-12, Cyclodextrin, Silica, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Lecithin, Magnesium Sulfate, BHT, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491
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 CaffeineThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl 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 GlycolDimethicone 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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