This hydrating essence is formulated around Squalane and Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientSqualane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantIsohexadecane
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
CleansingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
AbrasivePolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingWater, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Isohexadecane, Allantoin, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipids, Phytosterols, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Lactic Acid
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingMica
Cosmetic ColorantDimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSqualane
EmollientEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Silica
AbrasiveC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Hydrogenated Rosinate
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientTribehenin
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBehenyl Behenate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningAlaria Esculenta Extract
Skin ProtectingLavandula Stoechas Extract
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Palmitate, Polyethylene, Lauroyl Lysine, Diisostearyl Malate, Triethylhexanoin, Mica, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Silica, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Persea Gratissima Oil, Glyceryl Hydrogenated Rosinate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Tribehenin, Caprylyl Glycol, Behenyl Behenate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ceramide Ng, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Lavandula Stoechas Extract, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891, CI 19140, CI 77007
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolSqualane 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 Squalane