What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Polysilicone-11
PEG-100 Stearate
PEG-8 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Medicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
Abrasive
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Succinate
Antioxidant
Niacin
SmoothingSesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningHelichrysum Arenarium Extract
AntiseborrhoeicCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
Cleansing
Lactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCommiphora Mukul Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Silybum Marianum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract
Astringent
Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningPelvetia Canaliculata Extract
Skin ProtectingSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingMicrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
Jania Rubens Extract
Skin ConditioningGelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Crithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningEryngium Maritimum Extract
TonicDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Yeast Polysaccharides
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Punica Granatum Fruit Juice
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin Conditioning
Laureth-4
Emulsifying
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tourmaline
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Prunus Mume Fruit Extract
Humectant
Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Tetraacetylphytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningAlcaligenes Polysaccharides
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Laureth-23
Cleansing
Glycosaminoglycans
EmollientLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Hydrolyzed Beta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Talc
Abrasive
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingGold
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Methicone
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingNordihydroguaiaretic Acid
Antioxidant
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
PEG-8
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Propylene Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientParfum
Masking
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Algae Extract, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polysilicone-11, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-8 Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Helichrysum Arenarium Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Lactis Proteinum, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Commiphora Mukul Resin Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Silybum Marianum Extract, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Pelvetia Canaliculata Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Micrococcus Lysate, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Jania Rubens Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Eryngium Maritimum Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Yeast Polysaccharides, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Caffeine, Punica Granatum Fruit Juice, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Laureth-4, Yeast Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Tourmaline, Linolenic Acid, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Acetyl Glucosamine, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Tetraacetylphytosphingosine, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Sodium Hyaluronate, Laureth-23, Glycosaminoglycans, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Hydrolyzed Beta-Glucan, Tocopheryl Acetate, Linoleic Acid, Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sorbitol, Sucrose, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Talc, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Gold, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Pentylene Glycol, Lecithin, Potassium Sorbate, Polyethylene, Methicone, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Cyclodextrin, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, PEG-8, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Propylene Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Parfum, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Silica, Alcohol Denat., Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Undecane
EmollientBis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tridecane
Perfuming
Phloretin
Antioxidant
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer
Cleansing
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract
Astringent
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Undecane, Bis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Ascorbic Acid, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tridecane, Phloretin, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer, Ferulic Acid, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Caffeine, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaffeine 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 CaffeineThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDimethicone 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 EDTAWater. 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
