What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Isododecane
EmollientPolyethylene
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Stearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Nylon-12
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hibiscus Sinensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Whey Protein
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Tuna Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract
Astringent
Squalane
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin Conditioning
Algae Extract
EmollientLimonium Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Silybum Marianum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientGlucose
Humectant
Magnesium Sulfate
Sucrose
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Pinanediol
Skin ConditioningCamphanediol
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Methicone
Emollient
Artemia Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Alumina
Abrasive
Isoceteth-20
EmulsifyingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Octadecene
SolventTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Disodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Methyl Trimethicone, Propanediol, Isododecane, Polyethylene, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Stearyl Dimethicone, Nylon-12, Isononyl Isononanoate, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Hibiscus Sinensis Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Whey Protein, Opuntia Tuna Fruit Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Squalane, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Algae Extract, Limonium Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Silybum Marianum Extract, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Caffeine, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Glucose, Magnesium Sulfate, Sucrose, Glycerin, Pinanediol, Camphanediol, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Boron Nitride, Maltodextrin, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Methicone, Artemia Extract, Polysilicone-11, Alumina, Isoceteth-20, Disteardimonium Hectorite, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Citric Acid, Octadecene, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, CI 77491
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyglutamate
HumectantSodium PCA
Humectant
Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract
AstringentDipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Humulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLecithin
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetearyl Olivate, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbitan Olivate, Caffeine, Beta-Glucan, Panthenol, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Bisabolol, Butylene Glycol, Ectoin, Sodium Polyglutamate, Sodium PCA, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Dipeptide-2, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaffeine 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
