This anti-aging day moisturizer is formulated around Squalane and Bakuchiol to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture.
This anti-aging moisturizer is formulated around Bakuchiol and Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide 16.9%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-6 Stearate
EmollientC13-15 Alkane
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantC15-19 Alkane
SolventSilica
AbrasiveCetearyl Nonanoate
EmollientInulin
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientBakuchiol
AntimicrobialAdansonia Digitata Fruit Extract
EmollientHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion StabilisingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingRibose
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Laurate
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Phytate
ChelatingBisabolol
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientParfum
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantZinc Oxide 16.9%, Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, C13-15 Alkane, Pentylene Glycol, Mica, C15-19 Alkane, Silica, Cetearyl Nonanoate, Inulin, Squalane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Bakuchiol, Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Beeswax, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Stearyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Ribose, Cetyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Laurate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Phytate, Bisabolol, Potassium Sorbate, Myristyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxyacetophenone
Water
Skin ConditioningDecyl Cocoate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBakuchiol
AntimicrobialBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCoco-Glucoside
CleansingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEugenol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Decyl Cocoate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Bakuchiol, Beeswax, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Stearic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Zea Mays Starch, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coco-Glucoside, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Arginine, Sclerotium Gum, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Eugenol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bakuchiol is a plant-derived antioxidant from the seeds of the Psoralea corylifolia plant. It has antimicrobial, emollient, skin conditioning, and antioxidant properties.
You'll likely see it called a "retinol replacement" but the two are technically not related. This is because bakuchiol is able to flip many of the same switches in your skin cells to tell them to:
1) produce more collagen (type I, III, and IV)
2) activate the same genes retinoids do
Unlike retinoids, this ingredient will not increase photosensitivity and is safe to use during pregnancy (but please still check in with your doctor!).
The flagship clinical trial from Dhaliwal et al. 2019 found 0.5% bakuchiol (twice daily) and 0.5% retinol (once daily) reduced wrinkles and hyperpigmentation equally, but bakuchiol had significantly less irritation.
Systematic reviews also back this up:
Bakuchiol is comparable to retinol for photoaging but with better tolerability. It also has mild antibacterial properties against Cutibacterium acnes and antifungal activity in vitro against Candida and dermatophytes.
The reason bakuchiol works well is due to its structure; it is a meroterpene phenol, or a hybrid molecule. The phenol half acts as an antioxidant while the terpene half is fat-loving. This helps the molecule slip through the skin barrier.
This ingredient is usually used between 0.5-2%. Only one case of contact dermatitis has ever been reported for this ingredient.
Learn more about BakuchiolBeeswax is natural wax produced by honey bees to build their honeycomb.
Because it forms a protective layer on your skin, it can help lock in moisture and reduce water loss. It is also widely used as a thickener and emulsifier in lip balms and lotions. Research suggests beeswax containing moisturizers can support skin barrier integrity.
In comedogenic testing, Beeswax scored a 0-2, which is on the low end. Whether or not a product clogs your pores really comes down to the formula as a whole (not any single ingredient on its own) and your skin.
Cera Alba is the white, bleached form of this ingredient.
Just so you know, beeswax is not vegan since it is animal-derived. It cannot be removed with water, but can be taken off with an oil cleanser.
People with a known Propolis allergy also report to have reactions from beeswax.
Beeswax's wax esters are derived primarily from palmitic and oleic acid (C16 and C18:1). Both of these fall within the C11-C24 feeding window.
The Malassezia yeast can potentially cleave these esters and release usable fatty acids, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. However, not everyone will react to this ingredient.
Learn more about BeeswaxCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that 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. Just 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.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl 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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholWater. 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