What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethyl Sulfone
SolventSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientOpuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil
EmollientHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSqualane
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarrageenan
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPelargonium Graveolens Oil
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Dimethyl Sulfone, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Niacinamide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carrageenan, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Panthenol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingSqualane
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGrifola Frondosa Extract
Skin ConditioningLepidium Meyenii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Sterols
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Oil
PerfumingCordyceps Sinensis Extract
AntioxidantPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientPerilla Frutescens Extract
Skin ConditioningAsparagus Racemosus Root Extract
AntimicrobialWithania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRhodiola Rosea Root Extract
EmollientInonotus Obliquus Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientZingiber Officinale Root Oil
MaskingCymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil
MaskingLinoleic Acid
CleansingOleic Acid
EmollientLinolenic Acid
CleansingLecithin
EmollientLysolecithin
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningSphingolipids
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-28
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Phytic Acid
Citric Acid
BufferingCyclodextrin
AbsorbentMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Niacinamide, Squalane, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Glycerin, Grifola Frondosa Extract, Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Sterols, Curcuma Longa Root Oil, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Perilla Frutescens Extract, Asparagus Racemosus Root Extract, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract, Inonotus Obliquus Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Lecithin, Lysolecithin, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Beta-Sitosterol, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Adenosine, Lactic Acid, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-28, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Phytic Acid, Citric Acid, Cyclodextrin, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin (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 GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol 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.
Squalane 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 itâs technically not; itâs a hydrocarbon, meaning itâs only made of carbon and hydrogen, unlike true oils which are triglycerides made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term âoil-freeâ isnât 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. Itâs 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