e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Eye Cream Versus Brickell Men's Products Restoring Eye Serum Treatment
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientC10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Isohexadecane
EmollientSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Jojoba Esters, Diisostearyl Malate, C10-18 Triglycerides, Cetearyl Alcohol, Silica, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Soluble Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 80, Isohexadecane, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Plantago Lanceolata Meristem Cell
Antioxidant
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Sulfone
SolventPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
Buffering
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAspartic Acid
Masking
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Histidine
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Serine
Masking
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Arginine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCrithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin Protecting
Royal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Achillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingAstragalus Gummifer Root Extract
Emulsion StabilisingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Equisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentPropolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rumex Acetosa Leaf Extract
EmollientTussilago Farfara Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentYucca Schidigera Stem Extract
Cleansing
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Grape Fruit Extract
HumectantCinnamomum Camphora Gum Extract
AstringentSantalum Album Oil
Masking
Boswellia Carterii Oil
Masking
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Plantago Lanceolata Meristem Cell, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Dimethyl Sulfone, Pantothenic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Sclerotium Gum, Aspartic Acid, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Arginine, Glycine, Alanine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carbomer, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Astragalus Gummifer Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Propolis Extract, Rumex Acetosa Leaf Extract, Tussilago Farfara Callus Culture Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Yucca Schidigera Stem Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Grape Fruit Extract, Cinnamomum Camphora Gum Extract, Santalum Album Oil, Boswellia Carterii Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium PCA, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerGlycerin (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 GlycerinPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (formerly Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3) is a lab-made peptide with anti-inflammatory and skin-repairing benefits. It's made up of four amino acids (glycine, glutamine, proline, and arginine) and palmitic acid (which helps it penetrate skin more effectively).
This ingredient helps reduce inflammation by limiting the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a chemical that triggers inflammatory responses, particularly after UV exposure.
Less inflammation = slower collagen breakdown and a longer-lasting, youthful appearance.
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 also stimulates collagen production and supports a healthier skin barrier.
Over time, this can improve skin firmness, hydration, and reduce the appearance of fine lines. It’s commonly paired with Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex for enhanced anti-aging effects.
This ingredient has been shown to be effective and safe in cosmetic use and you'll typically find it in small amounts (less than 0.01%).
Due to its palmitic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is also known as pal-GHK. It is made up of 3 amino acids and palmitic acid, a fatty acid that helps it absorb into skin more easily.
This peptide is as a signal peptide, meaning it tells the skin to produce more collagen. Collagen is the key protein that helps form the skin's structure and keep it plump, firm, and hydrated.
By boosting collagen production, this ingredient supports a stronger skin barrier and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
You'll most likely see this ingredient paired with Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex. While results from in-house testing should be viewed cautiously, this peptide duo is among the most studied and widely used in modern skincare.
Due to its palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 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
