What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventSqualane
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantWater, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Squalane, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Gluconolactone, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Benzoate, Polysorbate 60, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Calcium Gluconate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Squalane
Emollient
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSilica
Abrasive
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyurethane Crosspolymer-1
Glucosyl Hesperidin
HumectantIsoceteth-10
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPEG-8
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPhenylpropanol
Masking
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantOpuntia Ficus-Indica Callus Culture Extract
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Propanediol, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Squalane, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Polysorbate 60, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Silica, Dimethiconol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Polyurethane Crosspolymer-1, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Isoceteth-10, Sodium Hydroxide, Retinol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenethyl Alcohol, PEG-8, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Phenylpropanol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, CI 19140, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Callus Culture Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Disodium 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.
This is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideSorbitan 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 SqualaneWater. 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
