What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBetaine
HumectantHydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAlbizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingAcacia Farnesiana Flower Wax
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningSteareth-21
CleansingDimethicone
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Disodium EDTA
Escin
TonicParfum
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethiconol
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAlcohol
AntimicrobialHarungana Madagascariensis Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingPaullinia Cupana Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingTin Oxide
AbrasiveAcetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin ConditioningDextran
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Betaine, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Panthenol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Glucoside, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Acacia Farnesiana Flower Wax, Caffeine, Steareth-21, Dimethicone, Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, CI 77891, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Disodium EDTA, Escin, Parfum, Butylene Glycol, Dimethiconol, Sodium Hydroxide, Alcohol, Harungana Madagascariensis Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Tin Oxide, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Dextran
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientPetrolatum
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantParaffin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantGlutamic Acid
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCarnosine
Skin ConditioningBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAlcohol
AntimicrobialPolyethylene
AbrasiveMethylparaben
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEthylparaben
PreservativePhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingTrisodium EDTA
Tocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningPPG-3 Dipivalate
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingSapindus Mukorossi Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningCitronellol
PerfumingUncaria Gambir Extract
AstringentGeraniol
PerfumingAngelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingSanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract
CleansingCrataegus Monogyna Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCitrus Junos Seed Extract
AntioxidantCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingZiziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningEucheuma Serra/Grateloupia Sparsa/Saccharina Angustata/Ulva Linza/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
BufferingBHT
AntioxidantCurcuma Longa Rhizome Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSaccharina Angustata/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
EmollientPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningWater, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Glycerin, Paraffinum Liquidum, Petrolatum, Butylene Glycol, Paraffin, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Squalane, Glyceryl Oleate, Sodium PCA, Glutamic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Carnosine, Beeswax, Microcrystalline Wax, Sodium Hydroxide, Alcohol, Polyethylene, Methylparaben, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylparaben, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Parfum, Trisodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Caffeine, CI 77492, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, PPG-3 Dipivalate, Linalool, Limonene, Sapindus Mukorossi Peel Extract, Citronellol, Uncaria Gambir Extract, Geraniol, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydroxyproline, CI 77491, Citrus Junos Seed Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Eucheuma Serra/Grateloupia Sparsa/Saccharina Angustata/Ulva Linza/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, BHT, Curcuma Longa Rhizome Extract, Polysorbate 20, Saccharina Angustata/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-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.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholButylene 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 CaffeineCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumSodium 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 HydroxideTocopheryl 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