What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Polysilicone-11
Ethylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenylethyl Resorcinol
Antioxidant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Isohexadecane
EmollientVitis Vinifera Flower Cell Extract
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Trehalose
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sucrose Palmitate
EmollientSea Water
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sclareolide
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Tromethamine
BufferingDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Serine
Masking
Lecithin
Emollient
Sucrose
Humectant
Plankton Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Alteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPullulan
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingAlgin
Masking
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Porphyridium Cruentum Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polysilicone-11, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Boron Nitride, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Phenoxyethanol, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Caffeine, Isohexadecane, Vitis Vinifera Flower Cell Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Trehalose, Urea, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 80, Sucrose Palmitate, Sea Water, Caprylyl Glycol, Sclareolide, Disodium EDTA, Tromethamine, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 60, Silica, Serine, Lecithin, Sucrose, Plankton Extract, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Pullulan, Disodium Phosphate, Algin, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Potassium Phosphate, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Heptyl Undecylenate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Heptyl Undecylenate, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Jojoba Esters, C10-18 Triglycerides, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caffeine, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Sodium Phytate, Tocopherol
Reviews
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 CaffeineThis 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 TriglycerideCaprylyl 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePolysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Silica, 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
