What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolysilicone-11
Dimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantTranexamic Acid
AstringentSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaffeine
Skin ConditioningOlive Glycerides
EmulsifyingCeteareth-12
EmulsifyingCeteareth-20
CleansingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCetyl Palmitate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingLaureth-12
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin ConditioningMicrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingBHT
AntioxidantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantBHA
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-49
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysilicone-11, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Niacinamide, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tranexamic Acid, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Caffeine, Olive Glycerides, Ceteareth-12, Ceteareth-20, Carbomer, Alpha-Arbutin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Laureth-12, Retinol, Micrococcus Lysate, Retinyl Palmitate, Phospholipids, Retinal, Sodium Lactate, BHT, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, BHA, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Caprylyl Glycol, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Acetyl Hexapeptide-49, Oligopeptide-1
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePunica Granatum Extract
AstringentTapioca Starch
Isopropyl Alcohol
SolventHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningNigella Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Menthoxypropanediol
MaskingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
AbrasiveTocopherol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Caffeine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Carbomer, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Phenoxyethanol, Punica Granatum Extract, Tapioca Starch, Isopropyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Xanthan Gum, Chlorphenesin, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactobacillus Ferment, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Menthoxypropanediol, Sodium Gluconate, Adenosine, Tin Oxide, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 19140
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 CaffeineCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491Glycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteTocopherol 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