Educational guide
Shiseido Waso Yuzu-C Eye Awakening Essence Versus Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex
Shiseido Waso Yuzu-C Eye Awakening Essence Versus Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex This brightening eye moisturizer is formulated around 2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin. This barrier-repair eye moisturizer is fo
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Shiseido Waso Yuzu-C Eye Awakening Essence Versus Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex
This brightening eye moisturizer is formulated around 2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin.
This barrier-repair eye moisturizer is formulated around Bifida Ferment Lysate and Caffeine to strengthen the skin barrier and soften the look of wrinkles.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Propanediol
Glycerin
Butylene Glycol
Dipropylene Glycol
Trehalose
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Pyrus Malus Fruit Water
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Menthol
Tocopheryl Acetate
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
Citrus Junos Seed Extract
Citrus Depressa Peel Extract
Averrhoa Carambola Leaf Extract
Dimethicone
Carbomer
Agar
Alcohol
Potassium Hydroxide
Magnesium Myristate
Succinoglycan
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Metaphosphate
Sodium Metabisulfite
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tin Oxide
Tocopherol
Phenoxyethanol
CI 77492
CI 77891
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Trehalose, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Pyrus Malus Fruit Water, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, 2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Menthol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Citrus Junos Seed Extract, Citrus Depressa Peel Extract, Averrhoa Carambola Leaf Extract, Dimethicone, Carbomer, Agar, Alcohol, Potassium Hydroxide, Magnesium Myristate, Succinoglycan, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Metaphosphate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77492, CI 77891
Methyl Trimethicone
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Sucrose
Petrolatum
Polysorbate 40
Algae Extract
Morus Bombycis Root Extract
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Lactobacillus Ferment
Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Betula Alba Bark Extract
Hydrolyzed Algin
Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract
Jojoba Alcohol
Ethylhexylglycerin
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Isopropyl Jojobate
Jojoba Esters
Isohexadecane
Faex Extract
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Cholesterol
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Sodium Rna
Caffeine
Polysorbate 80
Caprylyl Glycol
Phytosphingosine
Squalane
Potassium Sulfate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Tripeptide-32
Tromethamine
BHT
CI 77491
CI 77499
Methyl Trimethicone, Water, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Propanediol, Sucrose, Petrolatum, Polysorbate 40, Trehalose, Algae Extract, Morus Bombycis Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Hydrolyzed Algin, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Jojoba Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Isopropyl Jojobate, Jojoba Esters, Isohexadecane, Faex Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Cholesterol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Rna, Caffeine, Polysorbate 80, Caprylyl Glycol, Phytosphingosine, Squalane, Potassium Sulfate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tripeptide-32, Butylene Glycol, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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.
CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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.
Tocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Trehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
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!