What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycerin
HumectantDiglycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-10 Behenate/Eicosadioate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCoffea Arabica Seed Powder
AbrasiveTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantCoffea Arabica Seed Oil
MaskingCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingSalicylic Acid
MaskingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Juice Extract
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventGlycereth-26
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDextrin
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin, Diglycerin, Water, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-10 Behenate/Eicosadioate, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coffea Arabica Seed Powder, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Oil, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Caffeine, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract, Propanediol, Glycereth-26, Hydroxyacetophenone, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventGlycereth-26
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Tromethamine
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Glycereth-26, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caffeine, Allantoin, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Tromethamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
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 CaffeineGlycereth-26 is a synthetic ingredient and polyethylene glycol ether of Glycerin. Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin and helps keep your skin moisturized.
It is a humectant and helps add texture to products. It can make your product thicker.
As a humectant, it helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps your skin stay hydrated.
Learn more about Glycereth-26Glycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās 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