What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantNeopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Wheat Straw Glycosides
EmulsifyingHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingGelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningWhey Protein
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantAcetyl Octapeptide-3
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantSucrose
HumectantAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingJojoba Esters
EmollientTridecyl Stearate
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate
EmulsifyingMolasses Extract
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantPEG-8
HumectantCera Alba
EmollientGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantNylon-12
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Arachidyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Glycerin, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Glyceryl Behenate, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Propanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Wheat Straw Glycosides, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Whey Protein, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caffeine, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Sucrose, Acetyl Glucosamine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Jojoba Esters, Tridecyl Stearate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate, Molasses Extract, Trehalose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cholesterol, Bisabolol, PEG-8, Cera Alba, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Nylon-12, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Arachidyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxide, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Caprylate
EmollientHydrolyzed Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Bakuchiol
AntimicrobialOryza Sativa Cera
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientMelilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentDolichos Biflorus Callus Extract
Skin ProtectingAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningPolyglucuronic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate, Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, Bakuchiol, Oryza Sativa Cera, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glyceryl Oleate, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Dolichos Biflorus Callus Extract, Astaxanthin, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Polyglucuronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Lecithin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Caffeine, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Caramel, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caffeine 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 CaffeineGlycerin (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 GlycerinPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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