What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingHippophae Rhamnoides Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingSqualane
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingIsohexadecane
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingGlucose
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Mica, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Squalane, Caffeine, Ascorbic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Glyceryl Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Isohexadecane, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Polysorbate 80, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Oleate, Glucose, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
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 CaffeineChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinGlycerin (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 GlycerinWater. 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