What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Sucrose
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Alteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingAlgae Extract
EmollientCholesterol
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Polyaspartate
HumectantCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Dehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Benzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 61565
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Propanediol, Sucrose, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Algae Extract, Cholesterol, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Trehalose, Acetyl Glucosamine, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Sorbitol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Polyaspartate, Caffeine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Dextrin Palmitate, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Benzophenone-4, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, CI 61565
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Isostearyl Neopentanoate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Oil
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-100 Stearate
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningLactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Petrolatum
Emollient
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Propylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3
Skin Conditioning
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPEG-8
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Squalane, Glycerin, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil, Butylene Glycol, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Polyethylene, Glyceryl Stearate, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Lactis Proteinum, Caffeine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sucrose, Petrolatum, Sodium Polyacrylate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3, Hexylene Glycol, PEG-8, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acetyl Glucosamine is an antioxidant and humectant. It is an amino acid sugar and is naturally found in our skin.
The cool thing about this ingredient? It helps the skin produce hyaluronic acid and boost hydration. It also has antioxidant benefits to protect skin cells.
When paired with niacinamide, Acetyl Glucosamine has been shown to be effective at reducing discoloration.
Learn more about Acetyl GlucosamineButylene 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 CaffeineDisodium 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateSucrose is a natural sugar found in fruits, vegetables, and nuts. It is the main constituent of white sugar.
In skincare, sucrose is a humectant and can be a mild exfoliant.
Sucrose is hydrophilic, meaning it attracts water. This makes it an effective humectant and helps hydrate the skin.
Studies show sugars may worsen acne-prone skin due to it disrupting the skin's natural biome. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
In some products such as body scrubs, sucrose is used as an gentle exfoliant.
The term 'sucrose' comes from the french word for sugar, 'sucre'.
Learn more about SucroseTocopheryl 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
