What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl Isostearyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMethoxy PEG-114/Polyepsilon Caprolactone
BufferingPolyacrylate-13
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientPolyisobutene
Hydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningHoney
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingLinalool
PerfumingPanax Ginseng Flower Extract
AntioxidantHydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyaspartate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate
CleansingWater, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, Glycerin, Propanediol, Behenyl Alcohol, Diisostearyl Malate, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate, Phytosteryl Isostearyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methoxy PEG-114/Polyepsilon Caprolactone, Polyacrylate-13, Phenoxyethanol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Polyisobutene, Hydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins, Caffeine, Honey, Alcohol, Parfum, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Polyacrylate, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Dextrin, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Linalool, Panax Ginseng Flower Extract, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Hexyl Cinnamal, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Polyaspartate, Tocopherol, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientBoron Nitride
AbsorbentCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningEscin
TonicPersea Gratissima Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantActinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientKalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMarrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingAnthriscus Sylvestris Extract
Skin ConditioningHedychium Coronarium Root Extract
MaskingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingFurcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningLapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Squalane, Boron Nitride, Caffeine, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum, Pentylene Glycol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Escin, Persea Gratissima Oil Unsaponifiables, Disodium EDTA, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Caramel, Butylene Glycol, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Kalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Anthriscus Sylvestris Extract, Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract, T-Butyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Phenethyl Alcohol, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Maris Sal, Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Ā
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesĀ
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 CaffeineDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum 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 āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā 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 ParfumPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās 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 PropanediolSqualane is the hydrogenated and shelf-stable form of squalene (a lipid that naturally occurs in human sebum).
It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is able to integrate seamlessly into the skin's lipid barrier without clogging pores.
This is due to how structurally similar it is to what your skin already produces.
Though it is mostly an emollient that helps soften and hydrate skin, it also has some humectant and occlusive action. Humectants help the skin retain moisture while occlusives seal it in, making squalane a triple-threat moisturizer.
Research shows it has antioxidant capabilities that help protect against stressors like UV exposure, specifically UVA induced oxidative stress. This study also found that it supports collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts.
No clinical study has reported significant adverse effects and irritation reactions are very rare from this ingredient (even at 100% concentration).
Overall, it's a fantastic ingredient for hydration and is suitable for all skin types.
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Though squalane is often called an oil, itās technically not one. It is a hydrocarbon, meaning it is only made of carbon and hydrogen. True oils are triglycerides and made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term āoil-freeā isnāt regulated so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.
Squalane has a comedogenic rating of 1 from the original 1972 study that tested raw ingredients under occlusion on rabbit ears. This system is not standardized or peer-reviewed, and using the raw ingredients is very different from how diluted cosmetic formulations are used on human skin.
A comedogenic rating of 1 means it is "unlikely to clog pores" according to the original rating system.
The overall formula of a product matters more than the individual ingredients on whether or not it will cause clogged pores.
Learn more about SqualaneWater. 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