What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Glutamic Acid
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningDi-C12-13 Alkyl Malate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentDextrin
AbsorbentZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantIllicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingXylitol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Juniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingMannitol
HumectantSucrose
HumectantRosa Damascena Flower Extract
MaskingMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningOcimum Basilicum Oil
MaskingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantMadecassoside
AntioxidantViola Odorata Leaf Extract
MaskingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Glutamic Acid, Caffeine, Di-C12-13 Alkyl Malate, Panthenol, PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Caprylyl Glycol, Mentha Piperita Oil, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Dextrin, Zea Mays Starch, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Illicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Xylitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Mannitol, Sucrose, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Fructooligosaccharides, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Ocimum Basilicum Oil, Biotin, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Madecassoside, Viola Odorata Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
SurfactantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialOcimum Basilicum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientBetaine
HumectantBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingVerbena Officinalis Extract
EmollientPolyquaternium-10
Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
MaskingCupressus Sempervirens Branch/Leaf Oil
MaskingCupressus Sempervirens Oil
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningAbies Sibirica Oil
MaskingLimonene
Perfuming1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetate
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Betaine, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Biotin, Panthenol, Caffeine, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Verbena Officinalis Extract, Polyquaternium-10, Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Cupressus Sempervirens Branch/Leaf Oil, Cupressus Sempervirens Oil, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Abies Sibirica Oil, Limonene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Acetate, Sodium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol, Alcohol Denat.
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Biotin is a B vitamin that is naturally produced by our bodies. It is also called Vitamin H.
Our bodies use biotin in the metabolism process. It also helps our bodies use enzymes and move nutrients around. A biotin deficiency can lead to brittle hair and nails.
More research is needed on applying biotin topically. However, taking biotin orally has been shown to help nourish the skin, hair, and nails. They play a role in forming skin-hydrating fatty acids.
Biotin is water-soluble. It can be found in foods such as fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, and meat. Vitamin H stands for "haar" and "haut". These are the German words for hair and skin.
Learn more about BiotinCaffeine 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 CaffeineCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that 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. Just 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.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene 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 GlycerinLactobacillus Ferment Lysate is a postbiotic with skin soothing properties. Postbiotics are inactive molecules produced by probiotic bacteria that provide skin benefits.
This ingredient comes from the secretion of the bacteria, Lactobacillus.
Studies show this ingredient can help calm redness and may help treat the signs of photoaging; however, the evidence is inconclusive and further studies are needed.
Lactobacillus Ferment is generally considered safe for fungal-acne prone skin. The key thing to understand is that it comes from bacteria, not yeast or fungus.
Yeast-derived ferments (like galactomyces) have been shown to activate a protein that's linked to Malassezia-related skin issues whereas lactobacillus doesn't have that problem.
Its byproducts also don't contain the types of fatty acids (C11-24 chain lengths) that Malassezia feeds on.
Learn more about Lactobacillus Ferment LysatePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil is an essential oil also known as rosemary essential oil. In skincare, it is a skin conditioning agent and also acts as a natural fragrance that gives products a fresh/herby smell.
The oil is a mix of over 100 volatile compounds with 1,8-cineole, α-pinene, camphor, and verbenone usually leading the pack.
Lab studies credit this oil with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity. Some research even show rosemary compounds calming acne-related inflammation.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) has concluded rosemary-derived ingredients to be safe when formulated to be nonsensitizing.
Since this is a fragrant essential oil, the main concern is for fragrance-sensitive folks.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf OilStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholWater. 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 WaterZingiber Officinale is more commonly known as ginger.
Ginger root has antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and antimicrobial properties.
The antioxidant properties help protect your body from free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. As a result, ginger may help slow down signs of aging such as hyperpigmentation and wrinkles.
Studies show ginger inhibits the enzyme that breaks down collagen. It also helps with:
This ingredient has no negative side-effects and is safe to use unless one has a specific allergy to it.
Ginger originates from Southeast Asia but has spread throughout the world. It is now a common spice used in many cultures.
Learn more about Zingiber Officinale Root Extract