What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventTriethylhexanoin
MaskingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantUbiquinone
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingSalvia Sclarea Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveViola Odorata Leaf Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningTapioca Starch
Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Powder
Sphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSpilanthes Acmella Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialAstragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
EmollientHordeum Vulgare Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingLavandula Spica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantCarnosine
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningMannitol
HumectantBisabolol
AntioxidantTrehalose
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSteareth-21
CleansingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Panthenol, Squalane, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Propanediol, Triethylhexanoin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cetearyl Alcohol, Bis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ubiquinone, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Viola Odorata Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Tapioca Starch, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Spilanthes Acmella Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Lavandula Spica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Mentha Piperita Oil, Tocopherol, Carnosine, Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Beta-Glucan, Caffeine, Mannitol, Bisabolol, Trehalose, Lactobacillus Ferment, 1,2-Hexanediol, Steareth-21, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Aminomethyl Propanol, Carbomer, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
Water
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventEpigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
AntioxidantGallyl Glucoside
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantOxidized Glutathione
EmollientMelanin
Skin ProtectingGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
BufferingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Propyl Gallate
AntioxidantDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Caffeine, Maltodextrin, Glycerin, Propanediol, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside, Hyaluronic Acid, Oxidized Glutathione, Melanin, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Xanthan Gum, Lactic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Propyl Gallate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Benzyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, 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.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 CaffeineCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolWater. 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