What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingLactic Acid
BufferingGlycine Soja Germ Extract
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPisum Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentGlycine
BufferingLarix Europaea Wood Extract
HumectantSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingDextran
Limonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingRhizobian Gum
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCinnamyl Alcohol
PerfumingZinc Chloride
AntimicrobialCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAcetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentCalcium Gluconate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Butylene Glycol, Caffeine, Maltodextrin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Propanediol, Glycerin, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Arginine, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Lactic Acid, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Chlorphenesin, Allantoin, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Pisum Sativum Sprout Extract, Gluconolactone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Glycine, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Sodium Metabisulfite, T-Butyl Alcohol, Dextran, Limonene, Linalool, Rhizobian Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Zinc Chloride, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Calcium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialArginine
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingNiacinamide
SmoothingCalcium Pantothenate
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingPolyquaternium-11
Safflower Glucoside
Benzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingXylitylglucoside
HumectantCitronellol
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingResveratrol
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantSodium Citrate
BufferingParfum
MaskingWater, Alcohol Denat., Arginine, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Citric Acid, Niacinamide, Calcium Pantothenate, Caffeine, Limonene, Pyridoxine Hcl, Linalool, Polyquaternium-11, Safflower Glucoside, Benzyl Salicylate, Coumarin, Citral, Benzyl Alcohol, Xylitylglucoside, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Resveratrol, Tocopherol, BHT, Sodium Citrate, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineCaffeine 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 CaffeineCitric 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 AcidLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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 “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” 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 ParfumPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor 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