What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCurcuma Longa Callus Culture Conditioned Media
AntioxidantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingAvena Sativa Peptide
Skin ConditioningBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingAspartic Acid
MaskingPolydextrose
HumectantArginine
MaskingValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Glycine
BufferingPCA
HumectantLarix Europaea Wood Extract
HumectantAlanine
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSerine
MaskingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantDextran
Histidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingPhytic Acid
Zinc Chloride
AntimicrobialApigenin
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAlgin
MaskingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningBenzoic Acid
MaskingSodium Salicylate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Curcuma Longa Callus Culture Conditioned Media, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Avena Sativa Peptide, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Caffeine, Niacinamide, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid, Oleanolic Acid, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Panthenol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Aspartic Acid, Polydextrose, Arginine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Glycine, PCA, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Alanine, Caprylyl Glycol, Serine, Sodium Metabisulfite, Dextran, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Phytic Acid, Zinc Chloride, Apigenin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Algin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Cellulose Gum, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium EDTA, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Salicylate, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDiaminopyrimidine Oxide
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSafflower Glucoside
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingLimonene
PerfumingMenthol
MaskingPiroctone Olamine
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingCoumarin
PerfumingParfum
MaskingIngredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineCaffeine 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 CaffeinePEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilWater. 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