What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPisum Sativum Peptide
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
HumectantBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialSqualane
EmollientLecithin
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantEthyl Acetate
PerfumingCyclohexane
SolventAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Water, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Pisum Sativum Peptide, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Isopropyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, Caffeine, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Squalane, Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Ethyl Acetate, Cyclohexane, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningC15-19 Alkane
SolventGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Nut Extract
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSqualane
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientGlycol Palmitate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeXylitylglucoside
HumectantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAnhydroxylitol
HumectantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingXylitol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, C15-19 Alkane, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Nut Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Niacinamide, Coco-Glucoside, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Diheptyl Succinate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Glycol Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Xylitylglucoside, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Anhydroxylitol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Xylitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Tocopherol, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Citric Acid, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexapeptide-9, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This 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 TriglycerideCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholNiacinamide 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.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateSodium 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 HydroxideSqualane 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