What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tryptophan
MaskingHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Dextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract
TonicSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycerin, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Polyglycerin-3, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Caffeine, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Sodium Metaphosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tryptophan, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cyanocobalamin, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
PEG-100 Stearate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Bacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningInula Helenium Extract
MaskingJasminum Sambac Flower Extract
Masking
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Methylesculetin Acetate
Oenothera Biennis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningUbiquinone
Antioxidant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chrysin
Skin ConditioningArnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Troxerutin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Disodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel Forming
N-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningSteareth-20
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingBenzoic Acid
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Carbonate
BufferingChlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Water, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glycerin, Jojoba Esters, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Persea Gratissima Oil, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Cetyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Bacillus Ferment, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Inula Helenium Extract, Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Superoxide Dismutase, Glycine Soja Protein, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Methylesculetin Acetate, Oenothera Biennis Seed Extract, Yeast Extract, Ubiquinone, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Chrysin, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Squalane, Troxerutin, Tocopherol, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Caffeine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, CI 77491, CI 77891, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Steareth-20, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Biotin, Citric Acid, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Citrate, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Carbonate, Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerButylene 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 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 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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
