What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Trehalose
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Ceratonia Siliqua Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Polyquaternium-7
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Water, Glycerin, Panthenol, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Trehalose, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Ceratonia Siliqua Seed Extract, Zea Mays Starch, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Polyquaternium-7, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Zinc Gluconate, Caffeine, Phenoxyethanol, PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dextran
Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-20 Amide
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Acetyl Tyrosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Glycine
Buffering
Larix Europaea Wood Extract
HumectantZinc Chloride
AntimicrobialCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dextran, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-20 Amide, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Panthenol, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Acetyl Tyrosine, Sodium Metabisulfite, Glycine, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Zinc Chloride, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Biotin, Caffeine, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
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 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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
