What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingAcetamide Mea
HumectantTriethanolamine
BufferingPEG-23m
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol
HumectantTetrasodium EDTA
Methyl Nicotinate
SoothingParfum
MaskingMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
MaskingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingLimonene
PerfumingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSilica
AbrasiveCystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicLecithin
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Paradisi Peel Extract
PerfumingUrtica Dioica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingVaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract
AstringentFaex Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylparaben
PreservativeCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingBHT
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeMaltodextrin
AbsorbentMethylparaben
PreservativeEthylparaben
PreservativeButylparaben
MaskingWater, Niacinamide, Caffeine, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 80, Polysorbate 60, Acetamide Mea, Triethanolamine, PEG-23m, Propylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Methyl Nicotinate, Parfum, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Trideceth-6, Limonene, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Silica, Cystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Biotin, Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Citrus Paradisi Peel Extract, Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract, Faex Extract, Propylparaben, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, BHT, Potassium Sorbate, Maltodextrin, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingLarix Europaea Wood Extract
HumectantPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Germ Extract
EmollientTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialApigenin
AntioxidantOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingGlycine
BufferingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantZinc Chloride
AntimicrobialLactic Acid
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningDextran
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialWater, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caffeine, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Pisum Sativum Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Apigenin, Oleanolic Acid, Arginine, Glycine, Calcium Gluconate, Zinc Chloride, Lactic Acid, Gluconolactone, Dextran, Maltodextrin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polysorbate 20, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
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 CaffeineCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinPhenoxyethanol 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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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