What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Chrysin
Skin ConditioningN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Steareth-20
CleansingMethyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Caffeine, Biotin, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Magnesium Aspartate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Zinc Gluconate, Chrysin, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Copper Gluconate, Steareth-20, Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Magnesium Silicate
Propanediol
Solvent
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Lecithin
Emollient
Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Acetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
Antioxidant
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSteareth-20
CleansingSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-11
Bacillus
Skin ConditioningBoswellia Serrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Betula Alba Bark Extract
Masking
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Iron Oxides
Water, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Propanediol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Lecithin, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Caffeine, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Acetyl Glutamine, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Titanium Dioxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Steareth-20, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Dipeptide-2, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Bacillus, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Butylene Glycol, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Tin Oxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Potassium Sorbate, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Iron Oxides
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 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 GlycolChlorhexidine Digluconate is a preservative.
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (formerly Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3) is a lab-made peptide with anti-inflammatory and skin-repairing benefits. It's made up of four amino acids (glycine, glutamine, proline, and arginine) and palmitic acid (which helps it penetrate skin more effectively).
This ingredient helps reduce inflammation by limiting the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a chemical that triggers inflammatory responses, particularly after UV exposure.
Less inflammation = slower collagen breakdown and a longer-lasting, youthful appearance.
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 also stimulates collagen production and supports a healthier skin barrier.
Over time, this can improve skin firmness, hydration, and reduce the appearance of fine lines. It’s commonly paired with Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex for enhanced anti-aging effects.
This ingredient has been shown to be effective and safe in cosmetic use and you'll typically find it in small amounts (less than 0.01%).
Due to its palmitic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7Phenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium 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 SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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-20Water. 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
