What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Trehalose
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Ceratonia Siliqua Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePolyquaternium-7
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePPG-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 ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Callus Conditioned Media
Skin ConditioningCitrus Bergamia Peel Oil Expressed
PerfumingSodium Phytate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLactic Acid
BufferingTrifolium Pratense/Vigna Radiata) Sprout Extract
AntioxidantLinalool
PerfumingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicAlcohol
AntimicrobialPhytic Acid
Linalyl Acetate
MaskingPinene
MaskingNicotiana Benthamiana Octapeptide-30 Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningNicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-9
Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-86
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Caffeine, Curcuma Longa Callus Conditioned Media, Citrus Bergamia Peel Oil Expressed, Sodium Phytate, Pentylene Glycol, Limonene, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Lactic Acid, Trifolium Pratense/Vigna Radiata) Sprout Extract, Linalool, Sodium Hydroxide, Biotin, Alcohol, Phytic Acid, Linalyl Acetate, Pinene, Nicotiana Benthamiana Octapeptide-30 Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-9, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-86
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 CaffeineGlycerin (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 GlycerinPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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