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
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Hexyldecyl Stearate
EmollientCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil
Emollient
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Saccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Methyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Quaternium-18 Bentonite
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPolymethyl Methacrylate
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethicone, Isododecane, Water, Polysilicone-11, Polyethylene, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hexyldecyl Stearate, Caffeine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinyl Palmitate, Yeast Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Squalane, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Phytosphingosine, Quaternium-18 Bentonite, Propylene Carbonate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Isododecane
EmollientPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Trisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningTrametes Versicolor Extract
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Dimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol
Antioxidant
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Propylene Glycol Caprylate
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventSodium Phosphate
BufferingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysilicone-11
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Polyethylene, Isododecane, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Trisiloxane, Sodium Chloride, Acetyl Glucosamine, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Yeast Extract, Trametes Versicolor Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Salicylic Acid, Dimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Propylene Glycol Caprylate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Sodium Phosphate, Disodium Phosphate, Polysilicone-11, Potassium Hydroxide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT, Resveratrol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77891
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 CaffeineDimethicone 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 DimethiconeIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
The chemical name for this ingredient is 2,2,4,6,6-PENTAMETHYLHEPTANE.
Learn more about IsododecanePEG/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.
Polyethylene 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.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl 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 WaterYeast extract is a silky, clear liquid derived from yeast (usually Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Torula yeast).
This ingredient has plenty of skin benefits:
Bioferments of yeast and soy have been found to reduce hyperpigmentation at low levels.
Due to its fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Yeast Extract
