What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDecyl Cocoate
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Propanediol
Solvent
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Olivate
Cellulose
Absorbent
Oleyl Erucate
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
C9-12 Alkane
SolventDilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sulfur
Antiseborrhoeic
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Emollient
Zinc Ricinoleate
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Sorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingMica
Cosmetic ColorantButylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Water, Decyl Cocoate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Triheptanoin, Kaolin, Propanediol, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Cellulose, Oleyl Erucate, Squalane, Sorbitan Olivate, C9-12 Alkane, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sulfur, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Zinc Ricinoleate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Sorbitan Palmitate, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Oleate, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Acacia Senegal Gum, Mica, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77163, CI 77289, CI 77288, Zinc Oxide
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientEthylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Stearyl Behenate
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Polyethylene
Abrasive
PEG/PPG-20/15 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Phenyl Methicone
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Stearyl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingGlyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate
Emulsifying
Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea
Emollient
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Meadowfoam Estolide
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Betaine
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Aleuritic Acid
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycoproteins
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlucose
Humectant
Tromethamine
BufferingEruca Sativa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberButeth-3
SolventTributyl Citrate
SolventHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Retinyl Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Polylactic Acid
Abrasive
Canola Oil
Emollient
Cholesteryl Nonanoate
EmollientAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water
MaskingCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Colloidal Oatmeal
Absorbent
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Steareth-20
CleansingN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningChrysin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
Cleansing
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Cholesteryl Isostearate
EmollientCholesteryl Chloride
Skin ConditioningBHT
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantMagnolia Acuminata Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningLithospermum Officinale Extract
MaskingAgaricus Bisporus Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Disodium EDTA
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Stearyl Behenate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyethylene, PEG/PPG-20/15 Dimethicone, Phenyl Methicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Stearyl Stearate, PEG-150 Distearate, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Ceteareth-20, Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate, Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea, Glycosphingolipids, Ceramide AP, Meadowfoam Estolide, Glycine Soja Sterols, Cetearyl Glucoside, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyquaternium-51, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Aleuritic Acid, Yeast Extract, Glycoproteins, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Carbomer, Glucose, Tromethamine, Eruca Sativa Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Buteth-3, Tributyl Citrate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Ethylhexylglycerin, Niacinamide, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Retinyl Retinoate, Polylactic Acid, Canola Oil, Cholesteryl Nonanoate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Colloidal Oatmeal, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Steareth-20, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Chrysin, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Potassium Sorbate, Panthenol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Beta-Glucan, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Caprylyl Glycol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Cholesteryl Isostearate, Cholesteryl Chloride, BHT, Silica, Dipropylene Glycol, Magnolia Acuminata Bark Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Lithospermum Officinale Extract, Agaricus Bisporus Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Zinc PCA, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, CI 42090, CI 19140
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Squalane 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 SqualaneWater. 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
