What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingBetaine
HumectantAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentInulin
Skin ConditioningSwertia Chirata Extract
HumectantArtemisia Annua Extract
MaskingBenzylsulfonyl D-Seryl Homophenylalanine Amidinobenzamide Acetate
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
AntioxidantAcetyl Heptapeptide-4
HumectantAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantWater, Squalane, Propanediol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Niacinamide, Betaine, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Maltodextrin, Inulin, Swertia Chirata Extract, Artemisia Annua Extract, Benzylsulfonyl D-Seryl Homophenylalanine Amidinobenzamide Acetate, Trehalose, Lactobacillus Ferment, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Polyglutamic Acid, Panthenol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventEctoin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantBetaine
HumectantAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-40
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Heptapeptide-4
HumectantSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningInulin
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
AntioxidantPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol
AntioxidantWater, Panthenol, Squalane, Propanediol, Ectoin, Glyceryl Glucoside, Betaine, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40, Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Sodium Dna, Inulin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Trehalose, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Polyglutamic Acid, Tocopherol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol
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
Acetyl Heptapeptide-4 is a peptide with hydrating properties.
According to a manufacturer, a combination of this ingredient and caprylyl glycol strengthens the skin barrier by keeping your skin's natural biome in balance.
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide is a prebiotic. It prevents harmful bacteria from growing on skin by keeping the skin's microbiome in balance.
Another benefit of this ingredient is its antioxidant properties. Antioxidants protect our skin from oxidative damage.
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate is a polymer made from ammonium salts. It works as a thickener, emulsifier, and texture enhancer that gives gel-creams a silky, lightweight feel.
This ingredient is versatile and low-maintenance so manufacturers love working with it.
Typical usage levels in cosmetics are usually low and in the range of 0.015 - 2.3%.
Learn more about Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl TaurateBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. Itâs 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.
Learn more about BetaineCaprylhydroxamic Acid is a chelating agent that helps cosmetics stay fresh, stable, and consistent over time.
Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted reactions and effects from using the product. It also helps prevent the growth of unwanted microbes in products that contain water.
Caprylhydroxamic Acid is often used with natural antimicrobial products as an alternative to preservatives.
Learn more about Caprylhydroxamic AcidGlyceryl Glucoside is made from glycerol and glucose.
It is a humectant. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture to it from the air.
Some foods that contain glyceryl glucoside include sake, miso, and wines.
Learn more about Glyceryl GlucosideInulin is a polysaccharide (carbohydrate) with prebiotic and antioxidant properties.
The majority of inulin is extracted from chicory, but can also be obtained from other plants such as garlic, onion, asparagus, and sugarcane.
Studies show inulin may help with controlling your skin's natural microbiota when applied topically.
The antioxidant potential of inulin varies depending on the source.
Learn more about InulinPanthenol 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 PanthenolPolyglutamic Acid is made up many glutamic acids chained together. It is created from bacterial fermentation.
This ingredient is an effective skin hydrator and may help speed up wound healing. As a humectant, it draws and holds water to the skin. This ingredient is often compared to hyaluronic acid or glycerin. Similarly to hyaluronic acid, it can vary in molecular weights. This means polyglutamic acid is capable of bringing hydration to lower levels of the skin.
Fun fact: Polyglutamic Acid is found in the Japanese food, natto. It is also being used in cancer treatment studies.
Learn more about Polyglutamic AcidPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
Itâs 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 PropanediolSqualane 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, itâs 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 âoil-freeâ isnât 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 SqualaneTrehalose 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.
Learn more about TrehaloseTremella Fuciformis is also known as snow mushroom. This ingredient comes from the sporocarp, which is also the fruit body of the fungi.
Snow mushroom has hydrating and antioxidant properties.
According to a manufacturer, the glucuronic acid of this ingredient promotes the presence of hyaluronic acid in the middle layer of skin to keep that layer sufficiently hydrated.
Learn more about Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp ExtractWater. 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