What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPropanediol
SolventIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmulsifyingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Water
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientCreatine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingCapsicum Annuum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Caffeine, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Creatine, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propylene Glycol, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Capsicum Annuum Leaf Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract, Sodium Carrageenan, Maris Sal, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventEpigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
AntioxidantGallyl Glucoside
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantOxidized Glutathione
EmollientMelanin
Skin ProtectingGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
BufferingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Propyl Gallate
AntioxidantDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Caffeine, Maltodextrin, Glycerin, Propanediol, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside, Hyaluronic Acid, Oxidized Glutathione, Melanin, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Xanthan Gum, Lactic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Propyl Gallate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Benzyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol
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 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolWater. 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