What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningDiisooctyl Succinate
EmollientTheobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
EmollientSorbitan Palmitate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPiperonyl Glucoside
Skin ProtectingGlycerin
HumectantLecithin
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Carnitine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Extract
Emulsion StabilisingGeranium Maculatum Extract
TonicEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentHamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin ConditioningTaraxacum Officinale Extract
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract
AbrasiveTamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
PerfumingLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Diisooctyl Succinate, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Propanediol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Sorbitan Oleate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Piperonyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Lecithin, Caffeine, Palmitoyl Carnitine, Hydrolyzed Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Extract, Geranium Maculatum Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Extract, Propolis Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract, Tamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citric Acid, Sclerotium Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPropanediol
SolventGlycol Distearate
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningDipeptide-2
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningChrysin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningOleic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingIsostearyl Isostearate
EmollientCetyl Stearate
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTerminalia Arjuna Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSteareth-20
CleansingHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
AntioxidantCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLecithin
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Glycol Distearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Dipeptide-2, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Chrysin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Caffeine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Oleic Acid, Stearic Acid, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Isostearyl Isostearate, Cetyl Stearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Terminalia Arjuna Extract, Allantoin, Steareth-20, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Hydroxide, Lecithin, Hexylene Glycol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPotassium 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.Â
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 PropanediolJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilWater. 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