What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Polyperfluoromethylisopropyl Ether
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientMethyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingGelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Polybutene
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Trehalose
Humectant
Dipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Palmitoyl Oligopeptide
Cleansing
Sucrose
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingUrea
Buffering
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Simethicone
Emollient
PEG-8
HumectantPolyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Steareth-20
CleansingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSucrose Stearate
EmollientHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Maleate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Butylene Glycol, Polyethylene, Polyperfluoromethylisopropyl Ether, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glycereth-26, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetyl Esters, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Dimethicone, Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Yeast Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Caffeine, Polybutene, Glycerin, Sodium PCA, Phytosphingosine, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Trehalose, Dipeptide-2, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Sucrose, Silica, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Urea, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Simethicone, PEG-8, Polyquaternium-51, Steareth-20, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sucrose Stearate, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Maleate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Isopropyl Isostearate
Emollient
PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Sodium Polyaspartate
HumectantAlgae Extract
EmollientCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Trehalose
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pantethine
EmollientSorbitol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Propanediol
Solvent
Nylon-12
Silica
Abrasive
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Isopropyl Isostearate, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Niacinamide, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Sodium Polyaspartate, Algae Extract, Caffeine, Lactobacillus Ferment, Yeast Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Trehalose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pantethine, Sorbitol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Propanediol, Nylon-12, Silica, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerButylene 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 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 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 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.
Silica, 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 HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. 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 WaterYeast extract is a silky, clear liquid derived from yeast (usually Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Torula yeast).
This ingredient has plenty of skin benefits:
Bioferments of yeast and soy have been found to reduce hyperpigmentation at low levels.
Due to its fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Yeast Extract
