What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
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
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Algin
Masking
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
CI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantBisabolol
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cellulose
Absorbent
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Coffea Robusta Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCrataegus Monogyna Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingJasminum Sambac Flower Extract
Masking
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Arundinaria Gigantea Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Lecithin
Emollient
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Maris Aqua
HumectantMica
Cosmetic ColorantPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningPotassium Phosphate
BufferingPullulan
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil
Emollient
Serine
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Trehalose
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Yogurt
Skin ProtectingYogurt Powder
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Algin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ascorbic Acid, CI 77120, Bisabolol, Butylene Glycol, Caffeine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Cellulose, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Citric Acid, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Coffea Robusta Seed Extract, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract, Jojoba Esters, Lactic Acid, Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus/Arundinaria Gigantea Ferment Filtrate, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Lecithin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Maltodextrin, Maris Aqua, Mica, Phenethyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Potassium Phosphate, Pullulan, Saccharide Isomerate, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Serine, Silica, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Titanium Dioxide, Tocopherol, Trehalose, Urea, Yogurt, Yogurt Powder, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
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 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 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 (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium 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 SorbatePropanediol 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
