What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Pyrithione 0.1%
Antiseborrhoeic
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Menthol
Masking
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningZinc Pyrithione 0.1%, Water, Niacinamide, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Menthol, Mentha Piperita Oil, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Caffeine, Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Cantharellus Cibarius Extract
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Astringent
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Menthol
Masking
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Menthone
Perfuming
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Phytate
Fructose
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Polysorbate 20, Cantharellus Cibarius Extract, Biotin, Panthenol, Caffeine, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Menthol, Inulin, Menthone, Glycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Phytate, Fructose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 CaffeineEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis essential oil is steam-distilled from peppermint leaves, also known as peppermint oil. It's mainly used for scent in skincare but also provides that signature "cooling" sensation.
Peppermint oil is a "feels amazing" ingredient until it doesn't.
At higher doses or for those with sensitive skin, methol-type cooling can quickly turn into burning/irritation. It can also trigger irritant dermatitis or even allergic contact dermatitis. In a large patch-test dataset, peppermint oil had a low but positive rate for this.
In cosmetics, Cosmetic Safety Reviews (CIR) concludes that peppermint oil is safe to use when formulated to be non-sensitizing with some restrictions; for instance, pulegone, a naturally occurring component of peppermint oil, should not exceed 1%.
Since peppermint oil contains fragrance allergens such as limonene, linalool, and menthol, it can be sensitizing for those with rosacea, eczema, a broken skin barrier, or just sensitive skin in general.
In Japan, this ingredient is known as Hakka Yu.
Learn more about Mentha Piperita OilMenthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
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
