What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Menthol
Masking
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Water
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Cryptomeria Japonica Bud Extract
Skin ConditioningAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Bambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Salicylic Acid, Squalane, Caffeine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Zinc PCA, Parfum, Tocopherol, Menthol, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Limonene, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Water, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Cryptomeria Japonica Bud Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Linalool, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-4
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Boswellia Carterii Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Ganoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin Protecting
Fuscoporia Obliqua Sclerotium Extract
Skin ConditioningCordyceps Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Camelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract
MaskingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Hypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose
Humectant
Salvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Gelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingTrideceth-9
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Butylene Glycol, PEG-4, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Boswellia Carterii Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Fuscoporia Obliqua Sclerotium Extract, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Ergothioneine, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment, Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Caffeine, Sucrose, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Trideceth-9, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Maltodextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, 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.
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 CaffeineCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilSodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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
