What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Sorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientUbiquinone
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSqualane
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCarbenia Benedicta Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Polymorpha Sinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTaraxacum Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Villosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingTrigonella Foenum Symbiosome Extract
AntioxidantLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingGelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Dimethicone, Ubiquinone, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Squalane, Persea Gratissima Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Carbenia Benedicta Extract, Angelica Polymorpha Sinensis Root Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Root Extract, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Trigonella Foenum Symbiosome Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, CI 17200
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientSqualane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningStearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantParfum
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Propanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Stearyl Alcohol, Squalane, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Carbomer
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetyl 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 AlcoholDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin 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 StearatePeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
This oil comes from the seeds of the desert shrub called Jojoba. It is more commonly known as jojoba oil, a non-comedogenic oil.
Jojoba oil does not contain fragrance and has many fatty-acids, making it a great soothing ingredient.
It also contains Vitamin E, a great moisturizing ingredient. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant and protects your skin against oxidative damage.
This ingredient humectant properties, meaning it helps draw moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
While jojoba has antibacterial properties, it is only able to kill some strains of bacteria.
Studies also show it helps in wound healing. In fact, Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Fun fact: Jojoba oil similar to natural human skin sebum, so it has a great effect on dry skin. It is also promising with helping to regulate sebum production.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilSodium 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 HyaluronateSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer and cleaning agent. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, Sorbitan Isostearate prevents oils and water from separating.
Due to its isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateSqualane 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 SqualaneStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients.
Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent alcohols. FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water