What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Sorbitol
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientLarix Europaea Wood Extract
HumectantGlycine
Buffering
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Zinc Chloride
AntimicrobialCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Apigenin
Antioxidant
Oleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Panthenol, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caffeine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sorbitol, Lactic Acid, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Xanthan Gum, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Glycine, Sodium Metabisulfite, Zinc Chloride, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Apigenin, Oleanolic Acid, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer
CleansingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentArginine
Masking
Sh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-10
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
Antioxidant
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Magnolia Acuminata Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLecithin
Emollient
Dextran
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
Perfuming
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Alcohol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Niacinamide, Caffeine, Panthenol, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Arginine, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Oligopeptide-10, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Resveratrol, Biotin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Magnolia Acuminata Bark Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Dextran, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol
Reviews
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 CaffeineCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 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 BenzoateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
