What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveBentonite
AbsorbentGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGalactoarabinan
Mentha Piperita Oil
MaskingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
AntioxidantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRosmarinus Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
MaskingMagnesium Sulfate
Citrus Sinensis Peel Oil Expressed
PerfumingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Kaolin, Bentonite, Glycerin, Propanediol, Zea Mays Starch, Diisostearyl Malate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Galactoarabinan, Mentha Piperita Oil, Maltodextrin, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Magnesium Sulfate, Citrus Sinensis Peel Oil Expressed, CI 77891, Parfum, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Parfum
MaskingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveEscin
TonicEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantZingiber Zerumbet Extract
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingAgropyron Repens Root Extract
MaskingEthylene Brassylate
MaskingPaullinia Cupana Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Caffeine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Parfum, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Escin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Zingiber Zerumbet Extract, Phospholipids, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Agropyron Repens Root Extract, Ethylene Brassylate, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caffeine 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 TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumPropanediol 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 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 HyaluronateWater. 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