What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Squalane
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCocoglycerides
EmollientDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientEthyl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningLauryl Lactate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylcellulose
Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPseudozyma Epicola/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil Ferment Extract Filtrate
HumectantCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningDaemonorops Draco Extract
AstringentHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantMalic Acid
BufferingAnnona Muricata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentTamarindus Indica Extract
SmoothingMangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningSqualane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cocoglycerides, Diisopropyl Adipate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Octyldodecanol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ethyl Macadamiate, Lauryl Lactate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylcellulose, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Pseudozyma Epicola/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil Ferment Extract Filtrate, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide NP, Daemonorops Draco Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Lactic Acid, Tocopherol, Malic Acid, Annona Muricata Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Tamarindus Indica Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Persea Gratissima Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDiglycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingSqualane
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBisabolol
AntioxidantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningMalachite Extract
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Methylparaben
PreservativeEthylparaben
PreservativeOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Diglycerin, Niacinamide, Squalane, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Allantoin, Phenoxyethanol, Bisabolol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Polyglutamic Acid, Malachite Extract, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Propylene Glycol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Reviews
Alternatives
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 SqualaneTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about Tocopherol