What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCarrageenan
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Extract
AntioxidantCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientCucumis Sativus Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCalcium Chloride
AstringentCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSucrose
HumectantCalendula Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus
MaskingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Chloride
Ethyl Hexanediol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningOctanediol
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Carrageenan, Caffeine, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Cucumis Sativus Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Tocopherol, Calcium Chloride, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Sucrose, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Chondrus Crispus, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Cellulose Gum, Potassium Chloride, Ethyl Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Octanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, CI 77288
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAgar
MaskingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentAcrylates Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Tartaric Acid
BufferingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingMenthoxypropanediol
MaskingMenthyl Lactate
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantAluminum Glycinate
AstringentButylene Glycol
HumectantSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSea Water
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningRhodiola Rosea Root Extract
EmollientTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Agar, Sodium Polyacrylate, Acrylates Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Tartaric Acid, Cellulose Gum, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Menthoxypropanediol, Menthyl Lactate, Adenosine, Betaine, Aluminum Glycinate, Butylene Glycol, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Caffeine, Pentylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sea Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
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
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaffeine 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 CaffeineCaprylyl 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 GlycolCellulose Gum is a water-soluble polymer that comes from cellulose. It is used to change the texture of a product and to help stabilize emulsions.
As an emulsifier, cellulose gum specifically thicken the texture of water-based products.
This ingredient is considered hypoallergenic and non-toxic. Cellulose Gum can be found in cosmetics, food, and other household goods such as paper products.
Learn more about Cellulose GumGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolWater. 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