What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Polysilicone-11
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Nylon-12
Silica
Abrasive
Octyldodecyl Stearate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polysorbate 40
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysilicone-11, Acetyl Glucosamine, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Nylon-12, Silica, Octyldodecyl Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Butylene Glycol, Lecithin, Isohexadecane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 40, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Citric Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Isostearic Acid, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Xanthan Gum, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Caramel, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polybutene
Isostearyl Neopentanoate
Emollient
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNarcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract
Astringent
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Polygonum Aviculare Extract
EmollientAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Algae Extract
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Decarboxy Carnosine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Lactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
Humectant
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientSodium Lactate
Buffering
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Artemia Extract
Skin ConditioningTetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
Humectant
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl PCA
HumectantYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningPolymethyl Methacrylate
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sulfate
Dextran
Disodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Esters, Cetyl Alcohol, Polybutene, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Polyethylene, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Sorbitol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Polygonum Aviculare Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Glucose, Persea Gratissima Oil, Caffeine, Cholesterol, Algae Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Decarboxy Carnosine Hcl, Cetearyl Glucoside, Linoleic Acid, Lactis Proteinum, Zinc PCA, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Sodium Lactate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Artemia Extract, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Trehalose, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Lauryl PCA, Yeast Extract, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Potassium Sulfate, Dextran, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, 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.
Acetyl Glucosamine is an antioxidant and humectant. It is an amino acid sugar and is naturally found in our skin.
The cool thing about this ingredient? It helps the skin produce hyaluronic acid and boost hydration. It also has antioxidant benefits to protect skin cells.
When paired with niacinamide, Acetyl Glucosamine has been shown to be effective at reducing discoloration.
Learn more about Acetyl GlucosamineButylene 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 CaffeineCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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 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 Water
