What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant2,3-Butanediol
HumectantHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride
EmollientMannitol
HumectantBakuchiol
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingGlycereth-26
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Polysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantSucrose
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingParfum
MaskingSqualane
EmollientZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentGlutathione
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPerilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentBenzyl Glycol
SolventBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Guaiazulene Sulfonate
Arginine
MaskingHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Surfactin
CleansingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingSerine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantLeucine
Skin ConditioningLysine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
MaskingThreonine
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningTyrosine
MaskingHistidine
HumectantMethionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, 2,3-Butanediol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Mannitol, Bakuchiol, Tocopherol, Synthetic Beeswax, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Glycereth-26, Cetearyl Olivate, Polysorbate 60, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sorbitan Olivate, Carbomer, Glyceryl Glucoside, Sucrose, Tromethamine, Parfum, Squalane, Zea Mays Starch, Glutathione, Dipropylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Phosphatidylcholine, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Dextrin, Benzyl Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Guaiazulene Sulfonate, Arginine, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Surfactin, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ferulic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, Glycine, Serine, Aspartic Acid, Glutamic Acid, Leucine, Lysine, Alanine, Proline, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Valine, Isoleucine, Tyrosine, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine
Bifida Ferment Lysate 62.3%
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract 1%
HumectantBakuchiol 1%
AntimicrobialButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingWater
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Theobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingDextrin
AbsorbentBifida Ferment Lysate 62.3%, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Squalane, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tremella Fuciformis Extract 1%, Bakuchiol 1%, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Tromethamine, Water, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Dextrin
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
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineBakuchiol is a plant-derived antioxidant (it's vegan!). It is often called the replacement for retinol although it is not part of the same family.
It has similar effects as retinol: skin smoothing, reducing discoloration, and preventing wrinkles. It does not cause as much irritation as traditional retinoids.
Bakuchiol works by breaking down free radicals and stimulating collagen production in skin.
Combining bakuchiol with retinol will not have adverse side effects. Studies show using them will just boost the benefits. Bakuchiol is also found to help stabilize retinol.
While bakuchiol does not make the skin more sun sensitive, we recommend wearing SPF on a daily basis.
Read more about traditional retinol
Learn more about BakuchiolButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is an 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.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDextrin is used to thicken a product and helps bind ingredients together. It is created from starch and glycogen.
As an emulsifier, dextrin prevents ingredients from separating. This helps elongate a product's shelf life.
Studies show coating UV filters with dextrin prevents these ingredients from being absorbed. This helps UV ingredients last longer on the skin.
Learn more about DextrinDisodium 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 GlycerinSqualane 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 itās technically not; itās a hydrocarbon, meaning itās only made of carbon and hydrogen, unlike true oils which are triglycerides 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.
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. Itās worth testing out simple oils or squalane to see what works best for your skin.
Learn more about SqualaneTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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