What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingDimethicone
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPolysilicone-11
PCA Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBoron Nitride
AbsorbentSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTromethamine
BufferingDimethiconol
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialArginine
MaskingCyclodextrin
AbsorbentHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTin Oxide
AbrasiveHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Caffeine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Squalane, Polysorbate 20, Polysilicone-11, PCA Dimethicone, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Carbomer, Boron Nitride, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, CI 77891, Tromethamine, Dimethiconol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Arginine, Cyclodextrin, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tin Oxide, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPEG-400
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
EmollientSericin
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialOriganum Majorana Leaf Extract
AntiseborrhoeicPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientLonicera Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningStearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Serpyllum Extract
Skin ConditioningGold
Cosmetic ColorantAlgae Extract
EmollientHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientInositol
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantGlycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantNatto Gum
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMica
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasiveTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, PEG-400, Squalane, Sericin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Origanum Majorana Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Lonicera Japonica Leaf Extract, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Caffeine, Royal Jelly Extract, Thymus Serpyllum Extract, Gold, Algae Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Persea Gratissima Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Inositol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Glycosyl Trehalose, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Natto Gum, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Stearate, Dimethicone, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate, Carbomer, Mica, Tin Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and is rich in antioxidants.
While caffeine is used to treat cellulite and and dark circles, further studies are needed to prove this. It has been believed to help with these skin conditions due to its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow.
Some studies are looking into caffeine's ability to protect against UV rays.
Learn more about CaffeineCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.
This ingredient has many skin benefits:
This ingredient contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off molecules that damage skin cells.
On top of that, the antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.
Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory properties.
Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.
Other compounds found in tea include: Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.
Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is a form of hyaluronic acid. It is created by the hydrolysis of hyaluronic acid with a high molecular weight. Once created, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid has a low molecular weight.
Low molecular weight HA has been shown to hydrate and increase elasticity of the skin. Increasing elasticity is also associated with reduction of wrinkle depth.
One study found topical low molecular weight hyaluronic acid may be considered for the treatment of rosacea in the adult population. However, we always recommend speaking with a professional about your skin concerns.
Hyaluronic acids are a humectant. This means they draw moisture from the air. Hyaluronic acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read more about other common forms of hyaluronic acid:
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is a type of hyaluronic acid. In fact, it is modified version of hyaluronic acid.
The structure of Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer allows it to stay in the skin's top layer for a longer period of time. This allows for even more hydration and humectant action than hyaluronic acid.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerSqualane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.
Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.
Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.
Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).
In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.
The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.
Is squalane vegan?
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Is squalane an oil?
Squalane is often called an oil, but it’s technically not; it’s a hydrocarbon, meaning it’s only made of carbon and hydrogen, unlike true oils which are triglycerides made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term “oil-free” isn’t regulated, so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.
While some people avoid oils thinking they cause breakouts, the right kind of oil (or oil-like ingredient like squalane) can actually help balance and hydrate your skin. It’s worth testing out simple oils or squalane to see what works best for your skin.
Learn more about SqualaneTin Oxide is an inorganic oxide used to add opacity and volume to a product. In nature, it is already found in mineral form. The main ore of tin is an opaque and shiny mineral called casseterite.
Tin Oxide helps remove translucency in a product, or make it more opaque. Besides adding opacity, tin oxide is used for bulking to add volume.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water