What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Methylpropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Acmella Oleracea Extract
Skin ProtectingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Diglycerin
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Medicago Sativa Extract
TonicPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Diamond Powder
Abrasive
Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentTriticum Vulgare Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris Extract
Skin ConditioningRaphanus Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Fructose
Humectant
Dextrin
AbsorbentGlycine
Buffering
Serine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Leucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
Masking
Lysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Cysteine
Antioxidant
Methionine
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Sorbitol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Caffeine, Diglycerin, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Resveratrol, Arbutin, Bisabolol, Medicago Sativa Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Diamond Powder, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Triticum Vulgare Sprout Extract, Brassica Campestris Extract, Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract, Fructooligosaccharides, Glucose, Fructose, Dextrin, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Threonine, Valine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Cysteine, Methionine, Carbomer, Propanediol, Potassium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Rice Branate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate-13
Isododecane
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Polyisobutene
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCandelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
Emulsifying
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyglyceryl-3 Cocoate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate
Emulsifying
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Punica Granatum Extract
AstringentTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Actinidia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingWater, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-3 Rice Branate, Glycerin, Coconut Alkanes, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Cetyl Phosphate, Polyacrylate-13, Isododecane, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Polyisobutene, Mica, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, CI 77891, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Cetyl Alcohol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Punica Granatum Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 20, CI 77491, Sorbitan Isostearate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Caffeine, Tocopherol, Actinidia Chinensis Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
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 CrosspolymerCaffeine 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 CaffeineCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractCaprylyl 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
