What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Bentonite
Absorbent
Methylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Ozothamnus Diosmifolius Extract
Althaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Maranta Arundinacea Root Extract
SmoothingUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Castanea Sativa Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Indicum Extract
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cellulose
Absorbent
Glucose
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Fructose
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Canadian Colloidal Clay
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Montmorillonite
AbsorbentIllite
Abrasive
Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Limonene
Perfuming
CI 77510
Cosmetic ColorantGuaiazulene
Antimicrobial
Water, Kaolin, Bentonite, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Ozothamnus Diosmifolius Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Maranta Arundinacea Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Castanea Sativa Bark Extract, Chrysanthemum Indicum Extract, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Phosphate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Caprylyl Glycol, Cellulose, Glucose, Butylene Glycol, Allantoin, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Tocopherol, Canadian Colloidal Clay, Gluconolactone, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Montmorillonite, Illite, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Copper Tripeptide-1, Xanthan Gum, Caffeine, Limonene, CI 77510, Guaiazulene
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Carrageenan
Malpighia Glabra Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningMalpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Raphanus Sativus Root Extract
AstringentLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Oleth-20
CleansingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberSodium Phytate
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Parfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Propanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Carrageenan, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Juice, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Raphanus Sativus Root Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus, Maltodextrin, Oleth-20, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Sodium Phytate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, CI 16035
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 CaffeineGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with tons of research backing its benefits.
It is found naturally in sugar cane but the form used in skincare is usually synthetic for purity and stability.
Glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells to allow newer and fresher ones to emerge.
AHAs work by breaking down the structural “glue” that holds old skin cells in place. When that buildup is gone, your skin can renew itself more efficiently.
Research also shows glycolic acid stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and thicken the skin over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over other AHAs.
Overall, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid boosts skin hydration by helping it produce molecules that increase hyaluronic acid naturally.
To work best, glycolic acid products should have a pH between 3-4 (that’s where exfoliation is most effective but still gentle on skin).
The pH and concentration of a product are key to its effectiveness:
It is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation when using glycolic acid. This usually fades as your skin adjusts.
Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size in the AHA family, it can penetrate deeper, which enhances its effectiveness but also makes it more likely to irritate sensitive skin.
If your skin is very sensitive or prone to rosacea, glycolic acid may be too strong; in that case, try milder options like lactic acid or a PHA instead.
Recent studies suggest glycolic acid might even help protect against UV damage. But don’t skip sunscreen! Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
Glycolic acid is a skincare superstar. It smooths, brightens, hydrates, and firms the skin. Unless you’re highly sensitive, it’s well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Tocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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
