What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Betaine
Humectant
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cellulose
Absorbent
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDipsacus Sylvestris Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Escin
TonicParfum
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Marrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningMyrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingFurcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningLapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningHeptapeptide-15 Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14
Skin Conditioning
Water, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Betaine, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cellulose, Caffeine, Glyceryl Caprylate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dipsacus Sylvestris Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, CI 77891, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Escin, Parfum, Butylene Glycol, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Ascorbic Acid, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Maris Sal, Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Hypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingTrehalose
Humectant
Algae Extract
EmollientAlteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Gelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingSorbitol
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Sodium Polyaspartate
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Hydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-7m
Emulsion StabilisingDextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Dehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Adipate/Caprate/Caprylate/Heptanoate
EmollientTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-8
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Sucrose, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Trehalose, Algae Extract, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Sorbitol, Cholesterol, Niacinamide, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Sodium Polyaspartate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Caffeine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PEG-7m, Dextrin Palmitate, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentaerythrityl Adipate/Caprate/Caprylate/Heptanoate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Carbomer, PEG-8, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, CI 42090, CI 19140, CI 77491
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 CaffeineCitric 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 AcidDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium 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
