What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantAzelaic Acid
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantTriethylhexanoin
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract
MaskingMadecassoside
AntioxidantPorphyra Yezoensis Extract
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Lees Extract
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningPrunus Lannesiana Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Azelaic Acid, Glycerin, Triethylhexanoin, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Squalane, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract, Madecassoside, Porphyra Yezoensis Extract, Yeast Extract, Oryza Sativa Lees Extract, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid 15%
BufferingPropanediol
SolventSqualane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-75 Stearate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetyl Alcohol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningWater, Azelaic Acid 15%, Propanediol, Squalane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-75 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Ceramide EOP
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Azelaic acid is a multitasker ingredient that helps treat acne, pigmentation, and irritation. It is a great option for sensitive skin.
What makes azelaic special?
The best thing about azelaic acid is it's gentleness. It's generally well-tolerated and safe to use alongside other actives like niacinamide or salicylic acid.
Unlike AHAs, azelaic acid will not make you photosensitive/sun sensitive.
You can find this ingredient naturally occurring in grains like wheat, rye, and barley. In cosmetics, azelaic acid is typically lab-made, which is more stable and effective.
Learn more about Azelaic AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
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 an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.
Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.
Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.
Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).
In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.
The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.
Is squalane vegan?
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".
Is squalane an oil?
Squalane is often called an oil, but it’s technically not; it’s a hydrocarbon, meaning it’s only made of carbon and hydrogen, unlike true oils which are triglycerides 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.
While some people avoid oils thinking they cause breakouts, the right kind of oil (or oil-like ingredient like squalane) can actually help balance and hydrate your skin. It’s worth testing out simple oils or squalane to see what works best for your skin.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water