What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Betaine
Humectant
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Glycerin
Humectant
Cellulose
Absorbent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
Emollient
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Escin
TonicSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Marrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingTin Oxide
Abrasive
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Rhododendron Ferrugineum Extract
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Betaine, Boron Nitride, Glycerin, Cellulose, Pentylene Glycol, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, CI 77891, Caffeine, Sodium Polyacrylate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Disodium EDTA, Escin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Citric Acid, Phenethyl Alcohol, Tin Oxide, T-Butyl Alcohol, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Rhododendron Ferrugineum Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Maris Sal
Water
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pfaffia Paniculata Root Extract
SoothingPtychopetalum Olacoides Bark/Root Extract
EmollientLilium Candidum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAcmella Oleracea Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tetrapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Urea
Buffering
Yeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
Humectant
Inositol
Humectant
Taurine
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingPvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Xylitol
Humectant
Caprylic Acid
CleansingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caffeine, Glycerin, Isopentyldiol, Propanediol, Octyldodecanol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Pfaffia Paniculata Root Extract, Ptychopetalum Olacoides Bark/Root Extract, Lilium Candidum Flower Extract, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tetrapeptide-1, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer, Silica, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Xylitol, Caprylic Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Tocopherol, Tin Oxide, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, CI 77891
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineCaffeine 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 CaffeineCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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.Â
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 BenzoateSodium 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 HyaluronateSynthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteTin Oxide is an inorganic oxide used to add opacity and volume to a product. In nature, it is already found in mineral form. The main ore of tin is an opaque and shiny mineral called casseterite.
Tin Oxide helps remove translucency in a product, or make it more opaque. Besides adding opacity, tin oxide is used for bulking to add volume.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
