What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Algae Extract
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientTrisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Maris Sal
Skin ConditioningFaex Extract
Skin ConditioningHelichrysum Arenarium Extract
AntiseborrhoeicSesamum 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 ConditioningAsparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Molasses Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Ecklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
Cleansing
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Saccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Triacetyl Ricinoleate
Emollient
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Tetraacetylphytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningWhey Protein
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingSorbitol
Humectant
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientGlycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingCholesterol
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sucrose
Humectant
Polysilicone-11
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Nylon-12
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Steareth-20
CleansingCalcium Chloride
AstringentHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
Antioxidant
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Alumina
Abrasive
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent
Parfum
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantAlgae Extract, Water, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Trisiloxane, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Maris Sal, Faex Extract, Helichrysum Arenarium Extract, 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, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Molasses Extract, Phytosphingosine, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Polygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Dipeptide-2, Glyceryl Triacetyl Ricinoleate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Caffeine, Tetraacetylphytosphingosine, Whey Protein, Acetyl Glucosamine, Triethylhexanoin, Sorbitol, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Glycine Soja Protein, Cholesterol, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Isononyl Isononanoate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Sucrose, Polysilicone-11, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3, Silica, Nylon-12, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Steareth-20, Calcium Chloride, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Alumina, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Alcohol Denat., Propanediol, Parfum, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Sodium Benzoate, Mica, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Petrolatum
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Paraffin
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCarnosine
Skin Conditioning
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Methylparaben
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Trisodium EDTA
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningPPG-3 Dipivalate
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Sapindus Mukorossi Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningCitronellol
Perfuming
Uncaria Gambir Extract
AstringentGeraniol
Perfuming
Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract
CleansingCrataegus Monogyna Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCitrus Junos Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningEucheuma Serra/Grateloupia Sparsa/Saccharina Angustata/Ulva Linza/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
Buffering
BHT
Antioxidant
Curcuma Longa Rhizome Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Saccharina Angustata/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
EmollientPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Water, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Glycerin, Paraffinum Liquidum, Petrolatum, Butylene Glycol, Paraffin, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Squalane, Glyceryl Oleate, Sodium PCA, Glutamic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Carnosine, Beeswax, Microcrystalline Wax, Sodium Hydroxide, Alcohol, Polyethylene, Methylparaben, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylparaben, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Parfum, Trisodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Caffeine, CI 77492, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, PPG-3 Dipivalate, Linalool, Limonene, Sapindus Mukorossi Peel Extract, Citronellol, Uncaria Gambir Extract, Geraniol, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydroxyproline, CI 77491, Citrus Junos Seed Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Eucheuma Serra/Grateloupia Sparsa/Saccharina Angustata/Ulva Linza/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, BHT, Curcuma Longa Rhizome Extract, Polysorbate 20, Saccharina Angustata/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTCaffeine 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 GlycerinPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (formerly Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3) is a synthetic peptide. Its main job is to fight what researchers call "inflammaging".
"Inflammaging" is the slow, low-grade chronic inflammation that quietly breaks down collagen as we age.
This ingredient calms down a specific inflammation signal in your skin cells (called IL-6). When left unchecked, this signal triggers enzymes that break down collagen and elastin.
Clinical testing showed statistically significant improvements in:
Studies also found the more of this ingredient used, the more your skin produces Collagen I, fibronectin, and hyaluronic acid.
You'll likely see this ingredient paired with Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex for enhanced anti-aging effects.
A 3% concentration applied twice daily for two months showed meaningful skin rejuvenation results in clinical panels.
Fungal acne note:
Usually a palmitic acid component can feed Malassezia in unbound form, but here is is covalently bonded to the peptide. This means it is very difficult for Malassezia to access, and therefore very unlikely to cause fungal acne.
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
