What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolymethyl Methacrylate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantMyreth-3 Myristate
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMethylpropanediol
SolventSorbitol
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientHelichrysum Italicum Extract
AntiseborrhoeicHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHelichrysum Italicum Flower Oil
MaskingRosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningEscin
TonicHyaluronic Acid
HumectantCorn Starch Modified
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSucrose Palmitate
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Silanetriol
Glyceryl Linoleate
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Myreth-3 Myristate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Methylpropanediol, Sorbitol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Helichrysum Italicum Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Helichrysum Italicum Flower Oil, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caffeine, Escin, Hyaluronic Acid, Corn Starch Modified, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sucrose Palmitate, Disodium EDTA, Silanetriol, Glyceryl Linoleate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-20 Stearate
EmulsifyingPEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingPEG-100 Stearate
Palmitic Acid
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientGuanosine
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantSecale Cereale Seed Extract
AbrasiveSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantHydrolyzed Linseed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAdenosine
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polyacrylamide
Dimethiconol
EmollientLimonene
PerfumingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantTin Oxide
AbrasiveBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingMyristic Acid
CleansingGeraniol
PerfumingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingWater, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Propanediol, Alcohol Denat., Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-20 Stearate, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Stearic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Palmitic Acid, Octyldodecanol, CI 77891, CI 17200, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Guanosine, Mica, Secale Cereale Seed Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Adenosine, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Caffeine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polyacrylamide, Dimethiconol, Limonene, Pentylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tin Oxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Myristic Acid, Geraniol, Laureth-7, Parfum
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 CaffeineGlycerin (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.
Sodium 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 BenzoateSodium 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