What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingPerlite
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Citrate
BufferingP-Anisic Acid
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
N-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Palmitoyl Oligopeptide
Cleansing
Chrysin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Caffeine, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Perlite, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Citrate, P-Anisic Acid, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Adenosine, Glycine Soja Protein, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Chrysin, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Squalane
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientIsoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Water
Skin ConditioningPolymethyl Methacrylate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Citrus Medica Vulgaris Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Rice Amino Acids
Skin Conditioning
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningInulin
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Phytate
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Squalane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isoamyl Laurate, Polyethylene, Synthetic Wax, Water, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Glycerin, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Jojoba Esters, Citrus Medica Vulgaris Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus Ferment, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Lactic Acid, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Proline, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rice Amino Acids, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Inulin, Caffeine, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Maltodextrin, Polyglycerin-3, Sodium Lactate, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Chloride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Phytate, Sodium PCA, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
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 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium 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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
