What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientC9-12 Alkane
SolventPolyurethane-35
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTrehalose
HumectantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenylpropanol
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientSodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingSea Salt
AbrasivePhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium PCA
HumectantSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPullulan
Silica
AbrasiveSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Trisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Squalane, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, C9-12 Alkane, Polyurethane-35, Mica, Trehalose, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Gluconolactone, Methylpropanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenylpropanol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Carrageenan, Sea Salt, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Tocopherol, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Phospholipids, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium PCA, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Trisodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, CI 77491, CI 14700, CI 77891, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPropanediol
SolventTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLecithin
EmollientSqualane
EmollientLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHordeum Distichon Extract
Skin ProtectingHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientCastanea Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantBetaine
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantNeopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientButyl Avocadate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Palmitoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
CleansingErgothioneine
AntioxidantCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
AbrasivePolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hdi/PPG/Polycaprolactone Crosspolymer
Urea
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingAlcohol
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Propanediol, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Squalane, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hordeum Distichon Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Castanea Sativa Seed Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caffeine, Cholesterol, Sodium PCA, Betaine, Trehalose, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Butyl Avocadate, Potassium Palmitoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Ergothioneine, Cetearyl Glucoside, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Silica, Polyquaternium-51, Acacia Senegal Gum, Potassium Hydroxide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hdi/PPG/Polycaprolactone Crosspolymer, Urea, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Salicylic Acid, Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Mica, CI 77891, CI 19140, CI 15985
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (let's call it AAVC for short) is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
AAVC is able to increase the consistency and viscosity of products due to its large molecule size. It also prevents ingredients from separating.
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 GlycolCI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Glycerin 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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Some other names for this ingredient include soy lecithin and deoiled soy lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinMica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaPhenoxyethanol 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.
We don't have a description for Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate yet.
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 PropanediolSilica, 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 SilicaSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCASqualane 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 itās technically not; itās a hydrocarbon, meaning itās only made of carbon and hydrogen, unlike true oils which are triglycerides 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.
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. Itās worth testing out simple oils or squalane to see what works best for your skin.
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 AcetateTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. 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