What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Squalane
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Laureth-23
CleansingAlgae Extract
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEurya Japonica Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytonadione Epoxide
AstringentSucrose
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Pentapeptide-18
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Water, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Alpha-Arbutin, Squalane, Laureth-7, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Sodium Gluconate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caffeine, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cetyl Palmitate, Laureth-23, Algae Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hydroxide, Trideceth-6, Acacia Senegal Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Eurya Japonica Extract, Phytonadione Epoxide, Sucrose, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Pentapeptide-18, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Gentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Meadowfoam Delta-Lactone
Skin ConditioningHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
Antioxidant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer
Steareth-20
CleansingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventSodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopherol, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Caffeine, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Dipeptide-2, Meadowfoam Delta-Lactone, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer, Steareth-20, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Chlorphenesin, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Reviews
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 most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and is rich in antioxidants.
While caffeine is used to treat cellulite and and dark circles, further studies are needed to prove this. It has been believed to help with these skin conditions due to its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow.
Some studies are looking into caffeine's ability to protect against UV rays.
Learn more about CaffeineCitric 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 is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (formerly Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3) is a lab-made peptide with anti-inflammatory and skin-repairing benefits. It's made up of four amino acids (glycine, glutamine, proline, and arginine) and palmitic acid (which helps it penetrate skin more effectively).
This ingredient helps reduce inflammation by limiting the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a chemical that triggers inflammatory responses, particularly after UV exposure.
Less inflammation = slower collagen breakdown and a longer-lasting, youthful appearance.
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 also stimulates collagen production and supports a healthier skin barrier.
Over time, this can improve skin firmness, hydration, and reduce the appearance of fine lines. It’s commonly paired with Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex for enhanced anti-aging effects.
This ingredient has been shown to be effective and safe in cosmetic use and you'll typically find it in small amounts (less than 0.01%).
Due to its palmitic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7Phenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 HydroxideTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.
THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).
Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.
Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun.
Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.
A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).
While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.
THD is pretty stable, but it’s still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
