What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlumina
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Garnet Powder
Abrasive
Quartz
Abrasive
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Ziziphus Jujuba Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Seed Oil
Antioxidant
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Nobilis Oil
Masking
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingXylitol
Humectant
Caprylic Acid
CleansingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Galactoarabinan
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingLevan
Skin ProtectingDehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Alumina, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycolic Acid, Hydrated Silica, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitan Olivate, Garnet Powder, Quartz, Ascorbic Acid, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Seed Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Nobilis Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Citric Acid, Phenethyl Alcohol, Xylitol, Caprylic Acid, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Galactoarabinan, Decyl Glucoside, Levan, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Citral, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-19
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCoffea Robusta Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningIlex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Sodium Lactate
BufferingProline
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
MaskingSerine
Masking
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Histidine
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
PCA
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate
CleansingLimonene
Perfuming
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Jojoba Esters, Sorbitan Stearate, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-19, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Coffea Robusta Seed Extract, Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Squalane, Sodium Lactate, Proline, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Arginine, Caffeine, Calcium Gluconate, Gluconolactone, Sodium Phytate, Alcohol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, PCA, Sodium PCA, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Limonene, 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.
Cetearyl 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 AlcoholGlycerin 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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneSodium 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 HydroxideSodium Stearoyl Glutamate is an emulsifier and helps condition the skin. It is amino acid-based.
In higher amounts, it may act as a cleansing agent.
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 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
