What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantTriethylhexanoin
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPetrolatum
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSuizendinori Polysaccharide
Tocopherol
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPhytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Butylene Glycol, Triethylhexanoin, Glycerin, Paraffinum Liquidum, Dimethicone, Petrolatum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Suizendinori Polysaccharide, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Disodium EDTA, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Carbomer, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Behenyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 80, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDiglycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingStearyl Stearoyl Stearate
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientBetaine
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAstragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
EmollientLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingFoeniculum Vulgare Fruit Extract
EmollientPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
HumectantCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingPinellia Ternata Tuber Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingJasminum Sambac Flower Extract
MaskingZiziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialCoix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Kernel Extract
MoisturisingCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentIsostearic Acid
CleansingSorbitan Fatty Acid Ester
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Diglycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Stearyl Stearoyl Stearate, Triethylhexanoin, Dimethicone, Betaine, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Glycolipids, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Foeniculum Vulgare Fruit Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Pinellia Ternata Tuber Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Seed Extract, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Prunus Persica Kernel Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Isostearic Acid, Sorbitan Fatty Acid Ester, Polysorbate 60, Tocopherol, BHT
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCetearyl 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 AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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 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 SqualaneTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTriethylhexanoin is created from glycerin and 2-ethylhexanoic acid. It is a solvent and emollient.
As a solvent, Triethylhexanoin helps dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
It is also an emollient and helps condition the skin.
Learn more about TriethylhexanoinWater. 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