What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Neoruscogenin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Ruscogenin
Skin ConditioningDisodium Adenosine Triphosphate
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Carnosine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caffeine, Sodium Citrate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Phenoxyethanol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Propylene Glycol, Adenosine, Neoruscogenin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ruscogenin, Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate, Hexylene Glycol, Laminaria Digitata Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polybutene
Isostearyl Neopentanoate
Emollient
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNarcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract
Astringent
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Polygonum Aviculare Extract
EmollientAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Algae Extract
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Decarboxy Carnosine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Lactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
Humectant
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientSodium Lactate
Buffering
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Artemia Extract
Skin ConditioningTetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
Humectant
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl PCA
HumectantYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningPolymethyl Methacrylate
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sulfate
Dextran
Disodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Esters, Cetyl Alcohol, Polybutene, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Polyethylene, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Sorbitol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Polygonum Aviculare Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Glucose, Persea Gratissima Oil, Caffeine, Cholesterol, Algae Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Decarboxy Carnosine Hcl, Cetearyl Glucoside, Linoleic Acid, Lactis Proteinum, Zinc PCA, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Sodium Lactate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Artemia Extract, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Trehalose, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Lauryl PCA, Yeast Extract, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Potassium Sulfate, Dextran, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77891
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
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 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 or alcohol, 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 GlycerinLaminaria Digitata Extract comes from the dark brown seaweed, Laminaria Digitata. It is a potent antioxidant, which also provides soothing and hydrating benefits.
Many studies show the antioxidant components of Laminaria Digitata to help with anti-inflammation.
This ingredient is rich in amino acids, proteins, sugars, and vitamins. Small amounts of minerals such as phosphorous, iron, potassium, and copper are also found the seaweed.
These components help hydrate and nourish your skin's natural barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier leads to more youthful looking skin and may help reduce the signs of aging.
Laminaria Digitata is found in the northern Atlantic Ocean.
What's the difference between algae and seaweed?
Algae is a broad term that includes seaweed. Not all algae is seaweed.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
