What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf
AbrasivePEG-10 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
StabilisingPolymethylsilsesquioxane/Silica Crosspolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCalcium Disodium EDTA
Macadamia Ternifolia Shell Powder
AbrasiveButoxyethanol
MaskingRetinol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCollagen
MoisturisingBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientUndecane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientOryza Sativa
Phytosterols
Skin ConditioningCholesteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningAluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAcetyl Triethyl Citrate
MaskingBis-(Tetramethyl Hydroxypiperidinyl) Sebacate
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Cetearyl Olivate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Potassium Phosphate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf, PEG-10 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane/Silica Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea, Adenosine, Calcium Disodium EDTA, Macadamia Ternifolia Shell Powder, Butoxyethanol, Retinol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Collagen, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Undecane, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Cholesterol, Oryza Sativa, Phytosterols, Cholesteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Caffeine, Panthenol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Acetyl Triethyl Citrate, Bis-(Tetramethyl Hydroxypiperidinyl) Sebacate, Tocopherol, Ceramide NP, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantPectin
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlucose
HumectantCarrageenan
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantTroxerutin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Caffeine, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Pectin, Arginine, Proline, Serine, Butylene Glycol, Glucose, Carrageenan, Chondrus Crispus Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide NP, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Allantoin, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Troxerutin, Parfum, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Calcium Gluconate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin
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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPEthylhexylglycerin 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.
Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.
Why is retinol famous?
It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.
Retinol is proven to:
This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.
Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.
Read about Tretinoin
Learn more about RetinolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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