What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Polyethylene
AbrasiveButylene Glycol
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientHexyldecyl Stearate
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningFaex Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil
EmollientHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
HumectantSqualane
EmollientMethyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningQuaternium-18 Bentonite
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPolymethyl Methacrylate
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethicone, Isododecane, Water, Polysilicone-11, Polyethylene, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hexyldecyl Stearate, Caffeine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinyl Palmitate, Faex 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 ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingDimethicone
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCaffeine
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientBrassica Glycerides
EmollientDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPhytonadione Epoxide
AstringentPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningZerumbone
Skin ConditioningN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningDipeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSteareth-20
CleansingChrysin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingRetinal
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Caffeine, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Brassica Glycerides, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Maltodextrin, Glyceryl Glucoside, Behenyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Phytonadione Epoxide, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Zerumbone, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Dipeptide-2, Steareth-20, Chrysin, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Xanthan Gum, Retinal, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
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 DimethiconePhenoxyethanol 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.
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 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