What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Olivate
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Sucrose Polystearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Laureth-12
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Gleditsia Triacanthos Seed Extract
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCalcium Gluconate
HumectantWine
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Water, Polysilicone-11, Propanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, Squalane, Sucrose Polystearate, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Caffeine, Glycerin, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Gluconolactone, Laureth-12, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Maltodextrin, Gleditsia Triacanthos Seed Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Calcium Gluconate, Wine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
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 CaffeineEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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
