Skin science article
The INKEY List Caffeine Stimulating Scalp Treatment Versus Aromatica Rosemary Scalp 3 In 1 Treatment
The INKEY List Caffeine Stimulating Scalp Treatment Versus Aromatica Rosemary Scalp 3 In 1 Treatment What's inside Key Ingredients Benefits Concerns No concerns Ingredients Side-by-side Water Betaine Caffeine Panthenol Phenoxyethanol Glycerin Xanthan Gum Ethyl
The INKEY List Caffeine Stimulating Scalp Treatment Versus Aromatica Rosemary Scalp 3 In 1 Treatment
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Betaine
Caffeine
Panthenol
Phenoxyethanol
Glycerin
Xanthan Gum
Ethylhexylglycerin
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Lactic Acid
Sodium Metabisulfite
Glycine
Larix Europaea Wood Extract
Camellia Sinensis Extract
Zinc Chloride
Water, Betaine, Caffeine, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Lactic Acid, Sodium Metabisulfite, Glycine, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Zinc Chloride
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
Cetearyl Alcohol
Dipalmitoylethyl Dimonium Chloride
Isoamyl Laurate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Cetyl Alcohol
Glyceryl Stearate
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Salicylic Acid
Biotin
Arginine
Taurine
Niacinamide
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Hydrolyzed Corn Protein
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Sodium Hyaluronate
Hyaluronic Acid
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Isoamyl Cocoate
Polyquaternium-10
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Verbena Officinalis Extract
Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
PCA
Abies Sibirica Oil
Cupressus Sempervirens Oil
Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract
Dipropylene Glycol
Limonene
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Amber Powder
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Polyglycerin-3
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Stearyl Alcohol
Butylene Glycol
Propanediol
Ceramide AP
1,2-Hexanediol
Benzyl Glycol
Raspberry Ketone
Sodium Acetate
Sodium Chloride
Isopropyl Alcohol
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Dipalmitoylethyl Dimonium Chloride, Isoamyl Laurate, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Betaine, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Biotin, Arginine, Taurine, Caffeine, Niacinamide, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Isoamyl Cocoate, Polyquaternium-10, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Verbena Officinalis Extract, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, PCA, Abies Sibirica Oil, Cupressus Sempervirens Oil, Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Limonene, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Amber Powder, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Polyglycerin-3, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Stearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Benzyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Raspberry Ketone, Sodium Acetate, Sodium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
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.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
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.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
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!