What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Polybutene
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Squalane
Emollient
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Dicalcium Phosphate
Abrasive
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diisostearyl Malate, Octyldodecanol, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Polybutene, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Microcrystalline Wax, Synthetic Wax, Squalane, Silica Silylate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 77891, CI 45410, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 42090
Isotridecyl Isononanoate
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Methicone Crosspolymer
SurfactantPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimenthicone Cross Polymer
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningHydrogen Dimethicone
Dimethiconyl Silicate
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
Abrasive
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Barium Sulfate
Cosmetic Colorant
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientIsotridecyl Isononanoate, Squalane, Dimethicone, Dextrin Palmitate, Methicone Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimenthicone Cross Polymer, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Tocopherol, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Dimethiconyl Silicate, CI 19140, Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Silica, CI 15850, Iron Oxides, Barium Sulfate, Aluminum Hydroxide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Squalane 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 Squalane
