What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsostearyl Palmitate
EmollientCetyl Ricinoleate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantSqualane
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingArginine
MaskingSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientCastanea Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialTrehalose
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingCreatine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientLecithin
EmollientAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantPetrolatum
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine Ferulate
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Tromethamine
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Rna
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDisodium Nadh
EmollientMicrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningLaurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAscorbyl Tocopheryl Maleate
AntioxidantNordihydroguaiaretic Acid
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantSorbic Acid
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Isostearyl Palmitate, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Arginine, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Castanea Sativa Seed Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Yeast Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Trehalose, Salicylic Acid, Creatine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Lecithin, Acetyl Glucosamine, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Petrolatum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Arginine Ferulate, Polysilicone-11, Tromethamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Rna, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Phospholipids, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium Nadh, Micrococcus Lysate, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine Phosphate, Carbomer, Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Maleate, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sorbic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPropanediol
SolventSqualane
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingCetyl Palmitate
EmollientTridecyl Stearate
EmollientLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingLaminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin ConditioningGentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentHydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingFumaria Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantThermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
HumectantLimonium Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningArtemia Extract
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientAlgae Extract
EmollientLinoleic Acid
CleansingDimethiconol
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLecithin
EmollientTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientLauryl Alcohol
EmollientGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantSucrose
HumectantErgothioneine
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate
EmulsifyingAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingUrea
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingFumaric Acid
BufferingCyclodextrin
AbsorbentParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialLinalool
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingHydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Polysorbate 60, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Propanediol, Squalane, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetyl Palmitate, Tridecyl Stearate, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Fumaria Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Limonium Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Artemia Extract, Cholesterol, Algae Extract, Linoleic Acid, Dimethiconol, Isohexadecane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Lauryl Alcohol, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Trehalose, Sucrose, Ergothioneine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Caffeine, Palmitic Acid, Sodium PCA, Stearic Acid, Urea, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Cetyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, Polyquaternium-51, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Benzoate, Fumaric Acid, Cyclodextrin, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Benzyl Salicylate, CI 42090, CI 19140
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acetyl Glucosamine is an antioxidant and humectant. It is an amino acid sugar and is naturally found in our skin.
The cool thing about this ingredient? It helps the skin produce hyaluronic acid and boost hydration. It also has antioxidant benefits to protect skin cells.
When paired with niacinamide, Acetyl Glucosamine has been shown to be effective at reducing discoloration.
Learn more about Acetyl GlucosamineButylene 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 GlycolCetyl 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.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateWe don't have a description for Hordeum Vulgare Extract yet.
Lecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Some other names for this ingredient include soy lecithin and deoiled soy lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSqualane 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 SqualaneStearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.
As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.
Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.
Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. 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