What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-100 Stearate
Dimethicone
EmollientCetyl Ricinoleate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientCastanea Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCordyceps Sinensis Extract
AntioxidantMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPantethine
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningUsnea Barbata Extract
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingJojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicTribehenin
EmollientMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAscorbyl Tocopheryl Maleate
AntioxidantHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
AntioxidantSodium Sulfite
PreservativeSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantSteareth-20
CleansingDipeptide-2
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingSorbic Acid
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Methyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Silica, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Glycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Castanea Sativa Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Pantethine, Panthenol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caffeine, Usnea Barbata Extract, Yeast Extract, Folic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters, Biotin, Tribehenin, Myristyl Alcohol, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Trehalose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Maleate, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Steareth-20, Dipeptide-2, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Sorbic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantMyristyl Myristate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientJojoba Esters
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Anogeissus Leiocarpus Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingChrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin ConditioningAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingAsparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentMorus Nigra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCentaurium Erythraea Extract
Skin ConditioningBambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Butter
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantMicrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCetyl Ricinoleate
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHydrolyzed Algin
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingLecithin
EmollientSorbitol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCrithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-4 Dilaurate
EmulsifyingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantJojoba Alcohol
EmollientIsopropyl Jojobate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSteareth-20
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingGlucosamine Hcl
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Myristyl Myristate, Squalane, Jojoba Esters, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Anogeissus Leiocarpus Bark Extract, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Morus Nigra Root Extract, Centaurium Erythraea Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Pisum Sativum Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Butter, Cholesterol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trehalose, Micrococcus Lysate, Dimethicone, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Caffeine, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Algin, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Lecithin, Sorbitol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, PEG-4 Dilaurate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Jojoba Alcohol, Isopropyl Jojobate, Caprylyl Glycol, Steareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Glucosamine Hcl, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
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 CaffeineThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCarbomer 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 CarbomerCetyl Ricinoleate isn't fungal acne safe.
Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
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.
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract comes from the Baikal skullcap or Chinese skullcap plant. This plant is native to Northeast Asia and can be found in China, Mongolia, Korea, and Siberia.
In cosmetics, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. This is due to the flavonoid composition of Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract.
In Chinese traditional folk medicine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract is used to help treat lung issues and hypertension.
Learn more about Scutellaria Baicalensis Root ExtractSodium 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 HyaluronateSteareth-20 is an emulsifier and solubilizer. It is created from stearyl alcohol with ~20 units of ethylene oxide to give it a strong preference for water.
As an emulsifier, it helps oil-in-water emulsions like lotions, creams, and cleansers stay stable. It also solubilizes small amounts of oil-loving ingredients (like fragrance) into water-based formulas.
You'll likely find this ingredient with steareth-2 (it's oil-loving sister) where the two work together to give products a cushiony feel.
Typical use levels sit at around 1-5% and this ingredient has been found to be non-irritating by the CIR Expert Panel.
Learn more about Steareth-20Trehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. 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