What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hexyl Laurate
EmollientCellulose
AbsorbentPolyethylene
AbrasiveCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingOctyldodecanol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSilica Silylate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Citrate
BufferingDimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer
CleansingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialBoron Nitride
AbsorbentAlumina
AbrasiveGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMenthoxypropanediol
MaskingSorbitol
HumectantVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Sodium Phytate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
BufferingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantGlycol
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantHexyl Laurate, Cellulose, Polyethylene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Caffeine, Silica Silylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Citrate, Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer, Chlorphenesin, Boron Nitride, Alumina, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, CI 77891, Menthoxypropanediol, Sorbitol, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Sodium Phytate, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, Polysorbate 20, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Glycol, Alcohol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester
EmulsifyingPetrolatum
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBisabolol
AntioxidantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantFagus Sylvatica Bud Extract
TonicLecithin
EmollientCutaneous Lysate
MoisturisingTetrapeptide-21
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingDioscorea Villosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTocotrienols
Skin ConditioningElaeis Guineensis Oil
EmollientCapryloyl Carnosine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantBenzoic Acid
MaskingSqualene
EmollientPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1 Acetate
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingIsohexadecane
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Sorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, C12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester, Petrolatum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Bisabolol, Caffeine, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Fagus Sylvatica Bud Extract, Lecithin, Cutaneous Lysate, Tetrapeptide-21, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Citric Acid, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract, Tocotrienols, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Capryloyl Carnosine, Tocopherol, Benzoic Acid, Squalene, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 Acetate, Phytosterols, Sodium Citrate, Isohexadecane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Chlorphenesin, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Isostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol
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 CaffeineCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that 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. Just 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.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinGlycyrrhetinic acid is a compound found in licorice. It has skin conditioning, skin soothing, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties.
Not only is this a great ingredient for soothing inflammation, studies show this compound is effective at protecting skin against UV-B induced damage.
Fun fact: This ingredient is also used to mask the bitter taste of medicine.
Learn more about Glycyrrhetinic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateTocopherol 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 Tocopherol