What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientSorbitol
HumectantTriethylhexanoin
MaskingMethyl Glucose Dioleate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventSqualane
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentLauryl Glucoside
CleansingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPolyquaternium-39
Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingMyristyl Glucoside
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Isopropyl Palmitate, Sorbitol, Triethylhexanoin, Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Squalane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Saccharomyces Ferment, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Arginine, Oryza Sativa Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Gluconolactone, Zea Mays Starch, Lauryl Glucoside, Calcium Gluconate, Tocopherol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Polyquaternium-39, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Myristyl Glucoside, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyquaternium-51, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantPropanediol
SolventBetaine
HumectantIsopentyldiol
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHoney Extract
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningGlucomannan
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Phytate
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSucrose Stearate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Propanediol, Betaine, Isopentyldiol, Water, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Honey Extract, Ceramide NP, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Panthenol, Squalane, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Arginine, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Glucomannan, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sucrose Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Maltodextrin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSqualane 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 SqualaneWater. 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