What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Isostearate
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantHydrogenated Jojoba Oil
AbrasiveCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCopernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Triethyl Citrate
MaskingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingBenzoic Acid
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Ascorbic Acid, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Isostearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Cetearyl Glucoside, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Triethyl Citrate, Caffeine, Silica, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phytosphingosine, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Benzoic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantMyristyl Lactate
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
AbrasiveLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingWater, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Jojoba Esters, Glycerin, Myristyl Lactate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Behenate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Chlorphenesin, Caffeine, Carbomer, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Cellulose Gum, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Glucose, CI 77491, Silica, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
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 most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and is rich in antioxidants.
While caffeine is used to treat cellulite and and dark circles, further studies are needed to prove this. It has been believed to help with these skin conditions due to its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow.
Some studies are looking into caffeine's ability to protect against UV rays.
Learn more about CaffeineThis ingredient is an 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.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
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.
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 PropanediolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
Water. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water