Skin science article
Filorga Time-Filler Eyes Absolute Eye Correction Creme Versus La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Eye Cream
Filorga Time-Filler Eyes Absolute Eye Correction Creme Versus La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Eye Cream This anti-aging eye moisturizer is formulated around Gluconolactone and Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9 to soften the look of wrinkles. This anti-aging eye moisturizer
Filorga Time-Filler Eyes Absolute Eye Correction Creme Versus La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Eye Cream
This anti-aging eye moisturizer is formulated around Gluconolactone and Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9 to soften the look of wrinkles.
This anti-aging eye moisturizer is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Madecassoside to soften the look of wrinkles and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
C10-18 Triglycerides
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Heptyl Undecylenate
Glycerin
Propanediol
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Glyceryl Stearate
PEG-100 Stearate
Butylene Glycol
Sodium Citrate
Maltodextrin
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Arginine PCA
Cetyl Alcohol
Gluconolactone
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters
Mannitol
Parfum
Sucrose Dilaurate
Maris Aqua
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Tribehenin
Sucrose Palmitate
Hydroxyacetophenone
Caprylyl Glycol
Citric Acid
Sodium Hydroxide
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Tocopherol
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Lecithin
Lysolecithin
Glyceryl Linoleate
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Pisum Sativum Extract
Polysorbate 60
Sorbitan Isostearate
Sodium Chloride
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
CI 77891
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Trihydroxystearin
Niacinamide
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Lactobacillus Ferment
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Sodium Phytate
Ceramide NP
Sodium Hyaluronate
1,2-Hexanediol
Glucose
Phenoxyethanol
Bisabolol
Potassium Chloride
Beta-Sitosterol
Phytic Acid
Squalene
Potassium Sorbate
Calcium Chloride
Sophora Japonica Flower Extract
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Magnesium Sulfate
Glutamine
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Tin Oxide
CI 19140
Sodium Phosphate
Ascorbic Acid
Sodium Acetate
Lysine Hcl
Arginine Hcl
Alanine
CI 17200
Histidine Hcl
Valine
Leucine
Threonine
Isoleucine
Tryptophan
Phenylalanine
Tyrosine
Glycine
Polysorbate 80
Glucomannan
Serine
Cystine
Cyanocobalamin
Glutathione
Asparagine
Aspartic Acid
Ornithine Hcl
Glutamic Acid
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Proline
Methionine
Taurine
Hydroxyproline
Glucosamine Hcl
Coenzyme A
Sodium Glucuronate
Thiamine Diphosphate
Retinyl Acetate
Inositol
Niacin
Pyridoxine Hcl
Biotin
Calcium Pantothenate
Riboflavin
Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate
Thiamine Hcl
Folic Acid
Water, C10-18 Triglycerides, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Heptyl Undecylenate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Maltodextrin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Arginine PCA, Cetyl Alcohol, Gluconolactone, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters, Mannitol, Parfum, Sucrose Dilaurate, Maris Aqua, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tribehenin, Sucrose Palmitate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Lecithin, Lysolecithin, Glyceryl Linoleate, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Pisum Sativum Extract, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Chloride, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, CI 77891, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Trihydroxystearin, Niacinamide, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Lactobacillus Ferment, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Sodium Phytate, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glucose, Phenoxyethanol, Bisabolol, Potassium Chloride, Beta-Sitosterol, Phytic Acid, Squalene, Potassium Sorbate, Calcium Chloride, Sophora Japonica Flower Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Magnesium Sulfate, Glutamine, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Tin Oxide, CI 19140, Sodium Phosphate, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Acetate, Lysine Hcl, Arginine Hcl, Alanine, CI 17200, Histidine Hcl, Valine, Leucine, Threonine, Isoleucine, Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Glycine, Polysorbate 80, Glucomannan, Serine, Cystine, Cyanocobalamin, Glutathione, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Ornithine Hcl, Glutamic Acid, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Proline, Methionine, Taurine, Hydroxyproline, Glucosamine Hcl, Coenzyme A, Sodium Glucuronate, Thiamine Diphosphate, Retinyl Acetate, Inositol, Niacin, Pyridoxine Hcl, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate, Thiamine Hcl, Folic Acid
Dimethicone
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Mannose
Paraffinum Liquidum
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Potassium Hydroxide
Paraffin
Sodium Styrene/Ma Copolymer
Microcrystalline Wax
Madecassoside
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Dimethiconol
Disodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Xanthan Gum
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Ascorbic Acid, Mannose, Butylene Glycol, Paraffinum Liquidum, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Potassium Hydroxide, Paraffin, Sodium Styrene/Ma Copolymer, Microcrystalline Wax, Madecassoside, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Xanthan Gum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C and is the biologically active form used directly by skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, but it also has plenty of benefits for your skin. It is best supported by academic literature for:
Topical vitamin C has been shown to help neutralize oxidative stress from UV and pollution, helping to improve photoaging and hyperpigmentation when used consistently.
One clinical study found that using 5% topical vitamin C for six months improved signs of photodamaged skin, both on the surface and in the deeper structural layers of the skin.
While vitamin C doesn’t replace sunscreen, studies show it can boost photoprotection when combined with Vitamin E and ferulic acid. These two ingredients help improve stability and protective effects.
The big downside of this ingredient is formulation difficulty. Vitamin C is prone to oxidation and doesn't penetrate the skin unless formulated correctly. Research found that vitamin C absorbs into the skin best at a low pH (< 3.5) with about 20% being the upper limit for effective absorption.
Skin levels can saturate after repeated application; this means your skin won’t keep absorbing more once it’s full of vitamin C. This is why more isn’t always better with vitamin C and why very high concentrations don’t necessarily give extra benefits.
Ascorbic acid generally works well with many skincare ingredients but can be irritating when combined with other active ingredients. Strong oxidizing acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide can reduce the effectiveness of vitamin C if they are used at the same time; they are often recommended for use at different times of day.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
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.
Caprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
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.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
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.
Glyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Peg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
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.
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!