What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cichorium Intybus Root Oligosaccharides
Skin ConditioningHeptyl Undecylenate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Solanum Tuberosum Pulp Extract
SmoothingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Propyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Gallyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Bentonite
Absorbent
Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningFurcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSilica
Abrasive
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Glycerin, Squalane, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Cichorium Intybus Root Oligosaccharides, Heptyl Undecylenate, Propanediol, Solanum Tuberosum Pulp Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Lauryl Laurate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Propyl Gallate, Gallyl Glucoside, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bentonite, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, Sodium Phytate, Tocopherol, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Xanthan Gum, Silica, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Mica, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Cichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentSilica
Abrasive
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Bacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientKaolin
Abrasive
Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningLevulinic Acid
Perfuming
Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Propanediol, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Silica, Sodium Polyacrylate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Bacillus Ferment, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Caffeine, Calcium Gluconate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citric Acid, Gluconolactone, Glyceryl Caprylate, Kaolin, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Levulinic Acid, Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5 is a peptide that goes by another name, eyeseryl, due to claims that it can help reduce eye puffiness.
The manufacturer claims this ingredient reduces eye puffiness by:
An in-vivo study from the manufacturer found 95% of volunteers saw eye bag improvement by the end of the study.
Eye puffiness is caused by two major factors: fluid retention and fat.
Those with fluid retention may see improvement from using this ingredient. However, those with eye fat will need surgical intervention in order to get rid of puffiness.
Learn more about Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5This ingredient is also known as tara gum or Peruvian carob. It is a thickening and stabilizing ingredient derived from seeds of the Tara tree.
This ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
