What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
HumectantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCastanea Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningVincetoxicum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAminomethyl Propanediol
BufferingGellan Gum
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAgar
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipeptide-15
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningNicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantOleic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingNiacinamide
SmoothingGlutathione
Ectoin
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
AntioxidantSqualane
EmollientAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
SolventSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingAscorbic Acid Polypeptide
AntioxidantC12-13 Alketh-9
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientElastin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTripeptide-10 Citrulline
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglycerin-3, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Castanea Sativa Seed Extract, Vincetoxicum Atratum Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Collagen Extract, Soluble Collagen, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Gellan Gum, Allantoin, Panthenol, Agar, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipeptide-15, Adenosine, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Beta-Glucan, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Cyanocobalamin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cholesterol, Ceramide NP, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Tocopherol, Oleic Acid, Stearic Acid, Niacinamide, Glutathione, Ectoin, Resveratrol, Squalane, Astaxanthin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Propanediol, Sodium Dna, Arginine, Ascorbic Acid Polypeptide, C12-13 Alketh-9, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Elastin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tripeptide-10 Citrulline, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Caramel
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingNicotinamide Mononucleotide
AntioxidantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
CleansingLinolenic Acid
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSqualane
EmollientRaspberry Ketone
MaskingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialPhenyl T-Butylnitrone
AntioxidantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, Caffeine, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Squalane, Raspberry Ketone, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Lecithin, Ferulic Acid, Phenyl T-Butylnitrone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
This 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 ingredientās final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSqualane 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, itās 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 āoil-freeā isnāt 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 SqualaneTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skinās lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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