What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventHeptyl Glucoside
Parfum
MaskingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAllantoin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingDextran
Citric Acid
BufferingNasturtium Officinale Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningApigenin
AntioxidantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentSodium Hydroxide
BufferingOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Benzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingAnise Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Propanediol, Heptyl Glucoside, Parfum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Alcohol Denat., Panthenol, Caffeine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Potassium Sorbate, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Salicylic Acid, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Dextran, Citric Acid, Nasturtium Officinale Leaf/Stem Extract, Apigenin, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Oleanolic Acid, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Benzyl Alcohol, Coumarin, Amyl Cinnamal, Anise Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingMenthol
MaskingMenthyl Lactate
MaskingAzelaic Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPiroctone Olamine
PreservativePyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeCaffeine
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDextran
Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Menthol, Menthyl Lactate, Azelaic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Piroctone Olamine, Pyridoxine Hcl, Zinc PCA, Sodium Hydroxide, Dehydroacetic Acid, Caffeine, Glycerin, Dextran, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This biometic peptide is designed to support hair growth.
According to a manufacturer, it stimulates hair growth by:
The manufacturer has found combining this ingredient with red clover extract (Capixyl) boosted benefits. Not only does it enforce the scalp's extracellular matrix, it also inhibits the enzyme that creates DHT, a hormone that leads to hair loss.
While this ingredient is promising, more research is still needed to confirm its full effectiveness.
Learn more about Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholButylene 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 CaffeineDextran is a sugar (polysaccharide) with skin hydrating properties.
Fun fact: Louis Pasteur first discovered this ingredient as a microbial product in wine.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Potassium 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 SorbateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideThis extract comes from the flower more commonly known as red clover.
Water. 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