What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Pentaerythrityl Distearate
Emulsifying
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Pullulan
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingSilica
Abrasive
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Steareth-20
CleansingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Punica Granatum Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
N-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tromethamine
BufferingChrysin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
Cleansing
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Maltodextrin, Pullulan, Phenethyl Alcohol, Silica, Caffeine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, CI 77891, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Steareth-20, Alcohol, Punica Granatum Flower Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Potassium Sorbate, Tromethamine, Chrysin, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sodium Citrate, Biotin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether
StabilisingLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Cetearyl Olivate
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Creatine
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
Emollient
Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-8
HumectantLecithin
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Pantolactone
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Pongamia Pinnata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbic Acid
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Angelica Archangelica Root Extract
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Extract
MaskingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingFarnesol
Perfuming
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Polysorbate 20, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, Cetearyl Olivate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sorbitan Olivate, Caffeine, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Creatine, Dimethiconol, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PEG-8, Lecithin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Glucose, Lactic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Alcohol Denat., Ascorbyl Palmitate, Pantolactone, Potassium Sorbate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Pongamia Pinnata Seed Extract, Sorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Angelica Archangelica Root Extract, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Extract, Maltodextrin, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Farnesol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sclerotium Gum, CI 19140
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 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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinPotassium 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 SorbatePropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolTocopheryl 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
