What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Fructose
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAlgin
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Withania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientBacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Water, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Fructose, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Algin, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Phytate, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Caprylate, Bacillus Ferment, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Cichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentSilica
Abrasive
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Bacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientKaolin
Abrasive
Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningLevulinic Acid
Perfuming
Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Propanediol, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Silica, Sodium Polyacrylate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Bacillus Ferment, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Caffeine, Calcium Gluconate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citric Acid, Gluconolactone, Glyceryl Caprylate, Kaolin, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Levulinic Acid, Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5 is a peptide that goes by another name, eyeseryl, due to claims that it can help reduce eye puffiness.
The manufacturer claims this ingredient reduces eye puffiness by:
An in-vivo study from the manufacturer found 95% of volunteers saw eye bag improvement by the end of the study.
Eye puffiness is caused by two major factors: fluid retention and fat.
Those with fluid retention may see improvement from using this ingredient. However, those with eye fat will need surgical intervention in order to get rid of puffiness.
Learn more about Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5Bacillus Ferment is created by fermenting Bacillus bacteria with yeast extract and carbohydrates. It acts as a humectant and, depending on the strain, can also provide gentle enzymatic exfoliation.
Depending on the strain and formulation, it may also act as a peptide, probiotic, or prebiotic. Certain strains of Bacillus Ferment help support the skin’s microbiome, soothe inflammation, and promote barrier repair and hydration.
It’s typically used at 0.5-5% concentration, either for mild exfoliation or to improve overall skin health and texture.
Some studies show that Bacillus species can inhibit certain plant fungi (such as Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium oxysporum) used in agricultural biocontrol. However, these are filamentous molds, not the yeast (Malassezia furfur) responsible for fungal acne.
At this time, there are no studies showing that Bacillus Ferment inhibits Malassezia or that it has been tested on human skin or in cosmetic formulations. Because of this lack of cosmetic and dermatological research, we list Bacillus Ferment as not safe for fungal acne as a precaution. However, it may not trigger breakouts for everyone.
Learn more about Bacillus FermentCitric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid. It is an emollient, co-emulsifier, and preservative booster.
Its short C8 fatty acid chain makes it behave differently from its longer-chain emollient cousins like Glyceryl Stearate. It feels more lightweight, fast-absorbing, and silky instead of rich and waxy.
As a co-emulsifier, its "head" and "tail" sit at the oil-water interface. But overall, the short C8 tail and not being water soluble means it doesn't really have the muscle to emulsify a formula on its own. That's why you'll often see it paired with a primary emulsifier like Cetearyl Glucoside.
Interestingly, Glyceryl Caprylate acts as a preservative booster. This is because its fatty-acid backbone disrupts microbial lipid membranes. It shows excellent activity against bacteria and yeast but is weaker against mold.
Typical concentrations range from 0.5-1% and this ingredient is generally non-irritating.
Because this ingredient has a C8 fatty acid chain, it is outside the range that the Malassezia yeast metabolizes (making it fungal acne safe).
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylatePropanediol 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 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 HyaluronateSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
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 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
