What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingBetaine
HumectantGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEnantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningAnemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Aestivum Peptide
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Arginine
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlucose
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentXylitol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin ConditioningPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantSucrose Palmitate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventGlyceryl Linoleate
EmollientCollagen
MoisturisingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Peptide
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycine Max Polypeptide
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingGlutamic Acid
HumectantSucrose Distearate
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Squalane, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Betaine, Glyceryl Glucoside, Panthenol, Polyglycerin-3, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Triticum Aestivum Peptide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Arginine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glucose, Adenosine, Maltodextrin, Xylitol, Butylene Glycol, Allantoin, Ectoin, Polyglutamic Acid, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Sucrose Palmitate, Propanediol, Glyceryl Linoleate, Collagen, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Oleanolic Acid, Avena Sativa Peptide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycine Max Polypeptide, Glycine, Glutamic Acid, Sucrose Distearate, Phytosphingosine, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventEctoin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantBetaine
HumectantAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-40
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Heptapeptide-4
HumectantSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningInulin
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
AntioxidantPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol
AntioxidantWater, Panthenol, Squalane, Propanediol, Ectoin, Glyceryl Glucoside, Betaine, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40, Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Sodium Dna, Inulin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Trehalose, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Polyglutamic Acid, Tocopherol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. Itâs known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineEctoin is a compound found naturally in some species of bacteria. It can be synthetically created for skincare use.
This ingredient is an osmolyte; Osmolytes help organisms survive osmotic shock (it protects them from extreme conditions). It does this by influencing the properties of biological fluids within cells.
When applied to the skin, ectoin helps bind water molecules to protect our skin. The water forms a sort of armor for the parts of our skin cells, enzymes, proteins, and more.
Besides this, ectoin has many uses in skincare:
A study from 2004 found ectoin to counteract the damage from UV-A exposure at different cell levels. It has also been shown to protect skin against both UV-A, UV-B rays, infrared light, and visible light.
Studies show ectoin to have dual-action pollution protection: first, it protects our skin from further pollution damage. Second, it helps repair damage from pollution.
In fact, ectoin has been shown to help with:
Fun fact: In the EU, ectoin is used in inhalation medication as an anti-pollution ingredient.
Ectoin is a highly stable ingredient. It has a wide pH range of 1-9. Light, oxygen, and temperature do not affect this ingredient.
The chemical name for this ingredient is Tetrahydromethylpyrimidine Carboxylic Acid.
Learn more about EctoinGlyceryl Glucoside is made from glycerol and glucose.
It is a humectant. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture to it from the air.
Some foods that contain glyceryl glucoside include sake, miso, and wines.
Learn more about Glyceryl GlucosidePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPolyglutamic Acid is made up many glutamic acids chained together. It is created from bacterial fermentation.
This ingredient is an effective skin hydrator and may help speed up wound healing. As a humectant, it draws and holds water to the skin. This ingredient is often compared to hyaluronic acid or glycerin. Similarly to hyaluronic acid, it can vary in molecular weights. This means polyglutamic acid is capable of bringing hydration to lower levels of the skin.
Fun fact: Polyglutamic Acid is found in the Japanese food, natto. It is also being used in cancer treatment studies.
Learn more about Polyglutamic AcidPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
Itâs 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 PropanediolSqualane 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, itâs 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 âoil-freeâ isnât 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