What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCoco-Caprylate
EmollientC15-19 Alkane
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingEmpetrum Nigrum Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPsoralia Corylifolia Seed Oil
Collagen Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningMarrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPantolactone
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeFisetin
Cosmetic ColorantRaspberry Ketone
MaskingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientSiloxanetriol Alginate
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids
CleansingSarcosine
Skin ConditioningPotassium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningMagnesium
Dunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningCodium Tomentosum Extract
Skin ProtectingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMenthyl Lactate
MaskingPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate, C15-19 Alkane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Empetrum Nigrum Fruit Juice, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Psoralia Corylifolia Seed Oil, Collagen Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Panthenol, Pantolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Fisetin, Raspberry Ketone, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Siloxanetriol Alginate, Caffeine, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids, Sarcosine, Potassium Aspartate, Magnesium, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Codium Tomentosum Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Menthyl Lactate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Mica, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingParfum
MaskingMenthol
MaskingTapioca Starch
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCydonia Oblonga Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Tocopherol
AntioxidantScabiosa Arvensis Extract
Skin ConditioningCelosia Cristata Flower Extract
Skin ProtectingEthylene Brassylate
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMentha Aquatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Alcohol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Caffeine, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Parfum, Menthol, Tapioca Starch, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Decylene Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Cydonia Oblonga Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Scabiosa Arvensis Extract, Celosia Cristata Flower Extract, Ethylene Brassylate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Mentha Aquatica Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, CI 14700
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 CaffeineThis ingredient is also known as coconut oil. It is a plant-derived ingredient with skin conditioning properties.
The fatty acid profile of coconut oil is mostly lauric acid (~54%), followed by capric, caprylic, palmitic, and myristic acids. This profile allows it to penetrate easily into skin, moisturize, and improve dry skin.
A double-blind study confirmed that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective as mineral oil for treating very dry skin. Another study found it outperformed mineral oil for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children.
Another study from 2018 found that virgin coconut oil can soothe inflammation and boost key skin barrier proteins. Just know this evidence is still only from lab settings and not human trials.
It has also been shown to reduce Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that commonly overgrows in people with eczema.
Clinical testing shows very minimal skin irritation and no evidence of sensitization or phototoxicity.
Coconut oil gets flagged as a "fragrance" because it has a natural mild scent (not because it's a synthetic perfume). The European Cosmetic ingredient database also lists "perfuming" as a function of this ingredient.
Just so you know, the term "fragrance" is completely unregulated. Some brands still use botanical extracts or essential oils in their "fragrance-free" formulas, but regulatory databases technically classify these under "fragrance".
Coconut oil has a tiny and useless bit of natural SPF. Early lab studies clocked it around SPF 7-8 but a more recent study found the real number closer to SPF 1.2. It also offers no meaningful UVA protection (SPF only overs UVB rays).
The comedogenic rating of 4/5 means it has a high potential to clog pores; but it's worth noting that comedogenicity is highly individual and ratings cannot predict how an overall formula will behave on skin.
Since lauric acid is the dominant fatty acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between 11-24, and lauric acid falls within these lengths (C12).
Learn more about Cocos Nucifera OilDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPolysorbate 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 60Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopheryl 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