What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSolum Diatomeae
AbrasivePropylene Glycol
HumectantRosa Rugosa Flower Water
MaskingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyvinyl Alcohol
Menthol
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Stearate, Glycerin, Solum Diatomeae, Propylene Glycol, Rosa Rugosa Flower Water, Caffeine, Cyclodextrin, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Menthol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan Gum, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Polysorbate 80, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 73360
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientSodium Stearate
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningMaris Aqua
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingNylon-12
Sodium Sulfate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Sodium Stearate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Maris Aqua, Caffeine, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Nylon-12, Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, CI 42090
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 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 stearate is the sodium salt of stearic acid.
The structure of sodium stearate makes it both a cleanser and emulsifier. As a cleanser, it helps dissolve dirt, oil, and other pollutants. As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. This adds stability to the formula.
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