What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Glycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantChlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPullulan
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPyrus Cydonia Seed
AbrasiveCistus Incanus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningGarcinia Mangostana Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingMagnolia Biondii Bud/Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPassiflora Incarnata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingGlutamine
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialBenzoic Acid
MaskingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Squalane, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Panthenol, Pullulan, Allantoin, Retinyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Pyrus Cydonia Seed, Cistus Incanus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Magnolia Biondii Bud/Flower Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Metabisulfite, Ethylhexylglycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Glutamine, Potassium Sorbate, Maltodextrin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Alcohol Denat., Benzoic Acid, Phenethyl Alcohol, Citric Acid
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCocoglycerides
EmollientCorylus Avellana Seed Oil
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTranexamic Acid
AstringentButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitylglucoside
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantBakuchiol
AntimicrobialSqualane
EmollientPancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingBehenic Acid
CleansingSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantGlycine
BufferingBromelain
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Papain
Skin ConditioningCupressus Sempervirens Oil
MaskingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantJojoba Esters
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAspartic Acid
MaskingMyristic Acid
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLeucine
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingThreonine
Proline
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantMethionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantCyclodextrin
AbsorbentChamomilla Recutita Flower Water, Water, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cocoglycerides, Corylus Avellana Seed Oil, Propanediol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Gluconolactone, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tranexamic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Panthenol, Soluble Collagen, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xylitol, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitylglucoside, Stearic Acid, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Bakuchiol, Squalane, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Behenic Acid, Synthetic Beeswax, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Arginine, Stearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycine, Bromelain, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Glutathione, Papain, Cupressus Sempervirens Oil, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Jojoba Esters, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Aspartic Acid, Myristic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Leucine, Adenosine, Alanine, Lysine, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Cetyl Alcohol, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Proline, Valine, Isoleucine, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine, Cyclodextrin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCetearyl 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.
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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilPanthenol 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 PanthenolSqualane 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 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