What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientPropanediol
SolventSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantBetula Alba Juice
AstringentTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXylitol
HumectantVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningRibes Nigrum Seed Oil
EmollientEmpetrum Nigrum Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-8
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberTocopherol
AntioxidantTris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingAlcohol
AntimicrobialAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLinalool
PerfumingParfum
MaskingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantViola Odorata Flower Extract
MaskingWater, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Dicaprylyl Ether, Propanediol, Squalane, Glycerin, Betula Alba Juice, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xylitol, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Juice, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Empetrum Nigrum Fruit Juice, Vaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, PEG-8, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Tocopherol, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate, Alcohol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Linalool, Parfum, CI 42090, CI 60730, Viola Odorata Flower Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantShea Butter Ethyl Esters
EmollientSqualane
EmollientBetaine
HumectantVaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPullulan
Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientVaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract
AntioxidantRubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Vitis-Idaea Seed Oil
AntioxidantSodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantMica
Cosmetic ColorantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPalmitic Acid
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingMannose
HumectantSodium Mannose Phosphate
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingTin Oxide
AbrasiveMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Squalane, Betaine, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Juice, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pullulan, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Seed Oil, Sodium Carrageenan, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Propanediol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Mica, Alcohol Denat., Palmitic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Gluconate, Cellulose Gum, Mannose, Sodium Mannose Phosphate, Adenosine, Phenethyl Alcohol, Tin Oxide, Maris Sal, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Parfum, CI 77491, CI 77891
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/capric glycerides are a mixture of fats from caprylic and capric acids.
As an emollient, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides helps soften and moisturize the skin. Emollients create a moisture-trapping film on the skin.
Emulsifiers prevent ingredients from separating.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric GlyceridesEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract comes from rosemary. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean.
While Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil can be volatile due to its fragrant properties, the fragrance components are usually removed in the leaf extract.
Rosemary Leaf Extract contains many antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid. Rosemarinic acid, a compound found in rosemary leaf, has been found to help soothe skin conditions such as eczema and acne.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractSqualane 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 SqualaneTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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