What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientSqualane
EmollientAmodimethicone
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientCorylopsis Coreana Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Rice Ferment
Skin ConditioningAngelica Koreana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningKeratin
Skin ConditioningElastin
Skin ConditioningGelatin
Parfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Squalane, Amodimethicone, Persea Gratissima Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Corylopsis Coreana Extract, Water, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment, Angelica Koreana Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Keratin, Elastin, Gelatin, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Coumarin, Citronellol, Hydroxycitronellal
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDisiloxane
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantWater
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSqualane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCitrus Junos Extract
AntioxidantCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
AstringentHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingBenzyl Cinnamate
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingAlcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Disiloxane, Isopropyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propanediol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Water, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Keratin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Junos Extract, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Benzyl Cinnamate, Citronellol, Geraniol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Ā
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesĀ
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilButylene 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 GlycolCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 DimethiconeLimonene 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 LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumSqualane 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, itās 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 āoil-freeā isnāt 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 SqualaneTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water