What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Chondrus Crispus Powder
Abrasive
Ceratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Terminalia Chebula Extract
AstringentWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningMedicago Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Terminalia Chebula Extract, Water, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Mica, CI 77491, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Medicago Sativa Seed Extract, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Calcium Chloride
AstringentCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientXanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Chondrus Crispus Powder
Abrasive
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phytate
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ribes Nigrum Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Rubus Coreanus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Extract
TonicVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Arginine
Masking
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Gold
Cosmetic ColorantCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Calcium Chloride, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Allantoin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caffeine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Niacinamide, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Phytate, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ribes Nigrum Leaf Extract, Rubus Coreanus Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Arginine, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Gold, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77288
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinCaffeine 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 CaffeineCeratonia Siliqua Gum is extracted from the seeds of the carob tree. You might know this ingredient as Carob Gum or Locust Bean Gum. It is used to stabilize other ingredients and improve the texture of products.
Carob gum is made up of long-chain polysaccharides. This makes it a natural thickener.
Yes! This ingredient comes from the seeds of a tree. The name 'Locust Bean Gum' can be misleading.
Learn more about Ceratonia Siliqua GumChondrus Crispus Powder is an exfoliant.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinSodium 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 Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Water. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
