What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientBoron Nitride
AbsorbentCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningEscin
TonicPersea Gratissima Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantActinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientKalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMarrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingAnthriscus Sylvestris Extract
Skin ConditioningHedychium Coronarium Root Extract
MaskingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingFurcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningLapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Squalane, Boron Nitride, Caffeine, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum, Pentylene Glycol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Escin, Persea Gratissima Oil Unsaponifiables, Disodium EDTA, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Caramel, Butylene Glycol, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Kalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Anthriscus Sylvestris Extract, Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract, T-Butyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Phenethyl Alcohol, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Maris Sal, Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientEscin
TonicTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylamide
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicyloyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone
EmollientBHT
AntioxidantLaureth-7
EmulsifyingWater, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Escin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Adenosine, Caffeine, Polyacrylamide, Chlorphenesin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Dimethiconol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Xanthan Gum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone, BHT, Laureth-7
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 CaffeineWe don't have a description for Escin yet.
Glycerin (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 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 PropanediolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopheryl 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