What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Imidazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Steareth-20
CleansingDipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone
Antioxidant
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
N-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningMethylsilanol Mannuronate
Skin ConditioningSorbic Acid
Preservative
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf
Perfuming
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
Water, Disodium EDTA, Caffeine, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Glycerin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Phenoxyethanol, Steareth-20, Dipeptide-2, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Potassium Sorbate, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Butylene Glycol, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Methylsilanol Mannuronate, Sorbic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Glycerin
Humectant
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Phytonadione
Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone
Antioxidant
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingSteareth-20
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Chrysin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Water, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Polyacrylamide, Glycerin, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Squalane, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Caffeine, Phytonadione, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Laureth-7, Steareth-20, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipeptide-2, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Chrysin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
C13-14 Isoparaffin is a synthetic emollient, solvent, and thickening agent. It helps soften skin and improves spreadability without leaving a greasy residue.
This ingredient has been found to be non-sensitizing and safe for use in cosmetics.
Two things floating around online that cause fear-mongering:
There's one scary-sounding study related to kidney tumors in male rats; this depends on a protein called alpha-2u-globulin that binds the ingredient and clogs up kidney cells. Female rats barely make this protein, and humans don't make it at all so this effect cannot happen to us. Regulatory bodies have states this rat-only pathway shouldn't be used to judge human risk.
The other thing you'll see is 1,4-dioxane being a trace byproduct that can form during manufacturing of petroleum-derived ingredients. This is a real, but heavily managed/monitored issue. This byproduct is removed through purification steps before the ingredients goes into the formula. Regulatory bodies also actively monitor residual levels for safety.
One last thing to note: this ingredient is a pure hydrocarbon with no fatty-acid or ester chains for Malassezia to feed on, so it's considered fungal acne safe.
Learn more about C13-14 IsoparaffinCaffeine 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 CaffeineDipeptide-2 is a peptide. It can help to reduce the effects of aging.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinHesperidin Methyl Chalcone (HMC) is a modified form of hesperidin, a citrus flavonoid. It has antioxidant properties.
In preclinical research, HMC has been studied for its ability to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation related to UVB exposure. Outside of cosmetics, HMC has been looked at for its effects on capillary leakage and swelling. This is why you'll often see this ingredient in eye creams.
Overall, HMC is a gentle and supportive ingredient. Further research is needed on the claims that this ingredient can "erase dark circles".
Learn more about Hesperidin Methyl ChalconeLaureth-7 is created by the ethoxylation of lauryl alcohol using ethylene oxide. Lauryl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with hydrating properties.
This ingredient is an emulsifier and cleansing ingredient. As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps cleanse the skin by gathering dirt, oil, and pollutants to be rinsed away.
We don't have a description for N-Hydroxysuccinimide yet.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Polyacrylamide is a synthetic polymer. It is used to stabilize products and bind ingredients. When hydrated, Polyacrylamide forms a soft gel.
Polyacrylamide is low-toxicity. If source properly, it is deemed safe to use in cosmetics.
It should be noted the precursor to Polyacrylamide is acrylamide. Acrylamide is a carcinogen. Most reputable sources of Polyacrylamide will screen for residual acrylamide to make sure the count is in a safe range. Acrylamide is not able to be absorbed through the skin.
We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about PolyacrylamideSteareth-20 is an emulsifier and solubilizer. It is created from stearyl alcohol with ~20 units of ethylene oxide to give it a strong preference for water.
As an emulsifier, it helps oil-in-water emulsions like lotions, creams, and cleansers stay stable. It also solubilizes small amounts of oil-loving ingredients (like fragrance) into water-based formulas.
You'll likely find this ingredient with steareth-2 (it's oil-loving sister) where the two work together to give products a cushiony feel.
Typical use levels sit at around 1-5% and this ingredient has been found to be non-irritating by the CIR Expert Panel.
Learn more about Steareth-20Water. 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
