What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAnastatica Hierochuntica Extract
AstringentButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingMethylpropanediol
SolventBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientSucrose Palmitate
EmollientTriisostearin
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingPropanediol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantGlucosylrutin
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingDextrin
AbsorbentBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantBakuchiol
AntimicrobialTrehalose
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Soluble Collagen, Panthenol, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Squalane, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Sucrose Palmitate, Triisostearin, Tromethamine, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Glucosylrutin, Ceramide NP, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Dextrin, Beta-Glucan, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopherol, Bakuchiol, Trehalose, Dipropylene Glycol, Phytosphingosine, Octyldodecanol, Phosphatidylcholine, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Glycolipids, Madecassic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Sorbitol, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingSucrose
HumectantTea-Stearate
CleansingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Sponge
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Malt Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingHydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract
Skin ProtectingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPantolactone
HumectantTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSr-Clostridium Botulinum Polypeptide-1 Sh-Oligopeptide-1
AntioxidantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentMaranta Arundinacea Root Extract
SmoothingPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Carbomer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Squalane, Tromethamine, Sucrose, Tea-Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Hydrolyzed Malt Extract, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Pantolactone, Tripeptide-1, Sr-Clostridium Botulinum Polypeptide-1 Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Sodium Dna, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Maranta Arundinacea Root Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract
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.
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 preservatives
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinPanthenol 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.
Learn more about PanthenolPropanediol 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.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateSqualane is the hydrogenated and shelf-stable form of squalene (a lipid that naturally occurs in human sebum).
It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is able to integrate seamlessly into the skin's lipid barrier without clogging pores.
This is due to how structurally similar it is to what your skin already produces.
Though it is mostly an emollient that helps soften and hydrate skin, it also has some humectant and occlusive action. Humectants help the skin retain moisture while occlusives seal it in, making squalane a triple-threat moisturizer.
Research shows it has antioxidant capabilities that help protect against stressors like UV exposure, specifically UVA induced oxidative stress. This study also found that it supports collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts.
No clinical study has reported significant adverse effects and irritation reactions are very rare from this ingredient (even at 100% concentration).
Overall, it's a fantastic ingredient for hydration and is suitable for all skin types.
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Though squalane is often called an oil, it’s technically not one. It is a hydrocarbon, meaning it is only made of carbon and hydrogen. True oils are triglycerides and made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term “oil-free” isn’t regulated so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.
Squalane has a comedogenic rating of 1 from the original 1972 study that tested raw ingredients under occlusion on rabbit ears. This system is not standardized or peer-reviewed, and using the raw ingredients is very different from how diluted cosmetic formulations are used on human skin.
A comedogenic rating of 1 means it is "unlikely to clog pores" according to the original rating system.
The overall formula of a product matters more than the individual ingredients on whether or not it will cause clogged pores.
Learn more about SqualaneTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum