What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Hexyldecyl Stearate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil
Emollient
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cistus Incanus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Methyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Ursolic Acid
MaskingTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethicone, Isododecane, Water, Polysilicone-11, Polyethylene, Butylene Glycol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Hexyldecyl Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cistus Incanus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Caffeine, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Phytosphingosine, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Ursolic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningIsostearyl Palmitate
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysilicone-11
Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMorus Bombycis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Triticum Vulgare Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Lactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cholesterol
Emollient
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Pyridoxine Dipalmitate
Skin ConditioningSucrose
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Laurate
Emollient
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Petrolatum
Emollient
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Propylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Chloride
MaskingQuaternium-90 Bentonite
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Iron Oxides
Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Isostearyl Palmitate, Polyethylene, Butylene Glycol, Polysilicone-11, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Morus Bombycis Root Extract, Caffeine, Phytosphingosine, Triticum Vulgare Bran Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Lactis Proteinum, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cholesterol, Linoleic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Pyridoxine Dipalmitate, Sucrose, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Laurate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Petrolatum, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together. It's so effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeDimethicone 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 DimethiconePEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone is a modified version of dimethicone with emulsifying properties. It helps add a silky and lightweight feel to products like sunscreens and foundations.
Its unique structure allows it to bridge the gap between water-loving and oil-loving ingredients. This makes it especially good at creating stable, velvety, and elegant formulations.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Phytosphingosine is a phospholipid naturally found in our skin as a building block for ceramides.. It helps moisturize, soothe, and protect skin.
Phytosphingosine contributes to your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF). The NMF is responsible for hydration, a strong barrier, and plasticity. Our NMF decreases with age. Increasing NMF leads to more healthy and hydrated skin.
Studies show products formulated with NMF ingredients help strengthen our skin's barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier reduces irritation and increases hydration. Our skin barrier is responsible for having plump and firm skin. It also helps protect our skin against infection, allergies, and inflammation.
Fun fact: Phytosphingosine is abundant in plants and fungi.
More ingredients that help boost collagen in skin:
Learn more about PhytosphingosinePolyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.
It is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.
Polysilicone-11 is a film-forming silicone that creates a non-tacky and matte finish on the skin. It's commonly used to improve texture, absorb excess oil, and help active ingredients spread evenly.
Due to its "rubber-like" structure, it stays on the skin's surface instead of being absorbed. On the skin, it creates a flexible layer that enhances wearability and stability.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
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
