What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Isononanoate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingBoron Nitride
Absorbent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Levulinic Acid
Perfuming
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
Water, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Coconut Alkanes, Caprylyl Methicone, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Glycerin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Glyceryl Caprylate, Silica, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopherol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Squalane, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Phytate
Water
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Triisostearin
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Trehalose
Humectant
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientPetrolatum
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Maltitol
HumectantPotassium Methoxysalicylate
BleachingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Beheneth-20
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Theanine
EmollientDimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Phytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium EDTA
Polyvinyl Alcohol
PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Retinyl Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
BHT
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingEctoin
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Linalool
Perfuming
Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
Perfuming
Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Limonene
Perfuming
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Iris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract
CleansingCrataegus Monogyna Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningFagus Sylvatica Bud Extract
TonicPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Glycine
Buffering
Rubus Suavissimus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningInositol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pinus Sylvestris Cone Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantRosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicSerine
Masking
Zingiber Aromaticus Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Hydrolyzed Yeast
Skin ConditioningBenzoic Acid
Masking
Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningLauryl Betaine
CleansingPotentilla Erecta Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Uncaria Gambir Extract
AstringentSodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
Astringent
Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Triisostearin, Squalane, Behenyl Alcohol, Trehalose, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Petrolatum, Dimethicone, Maltitol, Potassium Methoxysalicylate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Stearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, Beheneth-20, Phenoxyethanol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Silica, Theanine, Dimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer, Microcrystalline Wax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Trisodium EDTA, Polyvinyl Alcohol, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, PEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Retinyl Acetate, Sodium Citrate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Alcohol, BHT, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Metaphosphate, Ectoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, CI 77492, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Linalool, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Geraniol, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Silk, Limonene, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Fagus Sylvatica Bud Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Glycine, Rubus Suavissimus Leaf Extract, Inositol, Tocopherol, Pinus Sylvestris Cone Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, CI 77491, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Serine, Zingiber Aromaticus Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Isostearic Acid, Hydrolyzed Yeast, Benzoic Acid, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Lauryl Betaine, Potentilla Erecta Root Extract, Polysorbate 20, Uncaria Gambir Extract, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 OilSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSqualane 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 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
