What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC13-15 Alkane
SolventGlycerin
HumectantPEG-100 Stearate
Behenyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Ricinoleate
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingNannochloropsis Oculata Extract
HumectantPullulan
Dipeptide-2
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTribehenin
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
AntioxidantSteareth-20
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMica
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingWater, C13-15 Alkane, Glycerin, PEG-100 Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Nannochloropsis Oculata Extract, Pullulan, Dipeptide-2, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tribehenin, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Steareth-20, Sodium Hyaluronate, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialIsocetyl Stearate
EmollientUrea
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBisabolol
AntioxidantCI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantShorea Stenoptera Seed Butter
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSteareth-20
CleansingHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingUbiquinone
AntioxidantLactic Acid
BufferingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantTalc
AbrasiveBHT
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialTropolone
Skin ConditioningN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningCoumarin
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDipeptide-2
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningChrysin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Isocetyl Stearate, Urea, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Octyldodecanol, Panthenol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, CI 77891, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Bisabolol, CI 77289, Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Steareth-20, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Disodium EDTA, Alcohol Denat., Parfum, Ubiquinone, Lactic Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Talc, BHT, Sodium Hyaluronate, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, CI 19140, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Tropolone, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Coumarin, Citral, Potassium Sorbate, Dipeptide-2, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Chrysin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Biotin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholDipeptide-2 is a peptide. It can help to reduce the effects of aging.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinHesperidin Methyl Chalcone (HMC) is a modified form of hesperidin, a citrus flavonoid. It has antioxidant properties.
In preclinical research, HMC has been studied for its ability to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation related to UVB exposure. Outside of cosmetics, HMC has been looked at for its effects on capillary leakage and swelling. This is why you'll often see this ingredient in eye creams.
Overall, HMC is a gentle and supportive ingredient. Further research is needed on the claims that this ingredient can "erase dark circles".
Learn more about Hesperidin Methyl ChalconePalmitoyl 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.
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 SorbateSodium 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 HyaluronateSteareth-20 is an emulsifier and solubilizer. It is created from stearyl alcohol with ~20 units of ethylene oxide to give it a strong preference for water.
As an emulsifier, it helps oil-in-water emulsions like lotions, creams, and cleansers stay stable. It also solubilizes small amounts of oil-loving ingredients (like fragrance) into water-based formulas.
You'll likely find this ingredient with steareth-2 (it's oil-loving sister) where the two work together to give products a cushiony feel.
Typical use levels sit at around 1-5% and this ingredient has been found to be non-irritating by the CIR Expert Panel.
Learn more about Steareth-20Water. 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