What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Polypropylene
Dimethicone
Emollient
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Oleth-10
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polysilicone-11
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingLaureth-23
Cleansing
Tromethamine
BufferingLaureth-4
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, Butylene Glycol, Polypropylene, Dimethicone, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Glycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trehalose, Oleth-10, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysilicone-11, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Hexylene Glycol, Laureth-23, Tromethamine, Laureth-4, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, CI 15985, CI 14700, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Zea Mays Germ Oil
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glyceryl Linoleate
Emollient
Polyperfluoromethylisopropyl Ether
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylamide
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Castanea Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Menthol
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
PEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Glyceryl Linolenate
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Juice
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Juice
Skin Conditioning
Linalool
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Citral
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclohexasiloxane, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Zea Mays Germ Oil, Panthenol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Linoleate, Polyperfluoromethylisopropyl Ether, Polyacrylamide, Dimethiconol, Glyceryl Oleate, Carbomer, Cetyl Alcohol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Parfum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glycine Soja Oil, Caffeine, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Castanea Sativa Seed Extract, Benzophenone-4, Menthol, Limonene, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Laureth-7, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Disodium EDTA, Glyceryl Linolenate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Juice, Citrus Limon Juice, Linalool, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Citral, Potassium Sorbate, CI 42090, CI 14700
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerCaffeine 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 14700, also known as Red No. 4, is a synthetic red dye derived from petroleum. It is water soluble.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium 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.
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
