What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientIsopropyl Isostearate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentNylon-12
Dimethicone
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Palmitic Acid
EmollientPolyacrylamide
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-100 Stearate
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
CleansingPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingTin Oxide
AbrasiveCeteareth-6
EmulsifyingIsododecane
EmollientAcrylates/Isobornyl Acrylate Copolymer
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica Silylate
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Styrene/Butadiene Copolymer
Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Silica
AbrasiveTris-BHT Mesitylene
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Isopropyl Isostearate, Niacinamide, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Nylon-12, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Polyethylene, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Behenyl Alcohol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Palmitic Acid, Polyacrylamide, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, CI 77891, PEG-100 Stearate, Caffeine, Ascorbyl Glucoside, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Disodium EDTA, Cetearyl Glucoside, Dimethiconol, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Hydroxide, Laureth-7, Adenosine, Myristic Acid, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Tin Oxide, Ceteareth-6, Isododecane, Acrylates/Isobornyl Acrylate Copolymer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Silica Silylate, Alcohol Denat., Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Styrene/Butadiene Copolymer, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Silica, Tris-BHT Mesitylene
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveIsododecane
EmollientPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningTrametes Versicolor Extract
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalicylic Acid
MaskingDimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol
AntioxidantHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tin Oxide
AbrasivePropylene Glycol Caprylate
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventSodium Phosphate
BufferingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysilicone-11
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantResveratrol
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Polyethylene, Isododecane, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Trisiloxane, Sodium Chloride, Acetyl Glucosamine, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Yeast Extract, Trametes Versicolor Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Salicylic Acid, Dimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Propylene Glycol Caprylate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Sodium Phosphate, Disodium Phosphate, Polysilicone-11, Potassium Hydroxide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT, Resveratrol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77891
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is a stable form of Vitamin C. It is created by combining glucose from starch.
When applied to skin, Ascorbyl Glucoside turns into Ascorbic Acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage skin cells.
It can help to reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl GlucosideCaffeine 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 GlycolCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
The chemical name for this ingredient is 2,2,4,6,6-PENTAMETHYLHEPTANE.
Learn more about IsododecanePEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone is a modified version of dimethicone with emulsifying properties. It helps add a silky and lightweight feel to products like sunscreens and foundations.
Its unique structure allows it to bridge the gap between water-loving and oil-loving ingredients. This makes it especially good at creating stable, velvety, and elegant formulations.
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.
Polyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.
It is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.
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 HyaluronateSynthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteTin Oxide is an inorganic oxide used to add opacity and volume to a product. In nature, it is already found in mineral form. The main ore of tin is an opaque and shiny mineral called casseterite.
Tin Oxide helps remove translucency in a product, or make it more opaque. Besides adding opacity, tin oxide is used for bulking to add volume.
Water. 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