What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsopentyldiol
HumectantEthylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientTetradecane
PerfumingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Stearate
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningMannitol
HumectantPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialArginine
MaskingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCopper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Sh-Heptapeptide-12 Sp
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantPullulan
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientSodium Phytate
Diglycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveCetyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePolyvinyl Alcohol
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopentyldiol, Ethylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate, Squalane, Tetradecane, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Mannitol, Phosphatidylcholine, Ferulic Acid, Arginine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14, Palmitoyl Sh-Heptapeptide-12 Sp, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Pullulan, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dimethicone, Sodium Phytate, Diglycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Silica, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Decyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPEG-8 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingBetaine
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-10
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGlycerin
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingBisabolol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAdansonia Digitata Fruit Extract
EmollientChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAcetic Acid
BufferingRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
AstringentCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning2,3-Butanediol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBis(Tripeptide-1) Copper Acetate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSorbic Acid
PreservativeGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningFarnesol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Propanediol, PEG-8 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Betaine, Glycereth-26, Methyl Gluceth-10, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Carbomer, Caffeine, Propylene Glycol, Yeast Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Bisabolol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Lactic Acid, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Acetic Acid, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Ceramide NP, 2,3-Butanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Bis(Tripeptide-1) Copper Acetate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sorbic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Ceramide Ns, Cholesterol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Ceramide EOP, Farnesol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, CI 15985, CI 19140, CI 17200
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 LecithinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium 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.
It’s 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 BenzoateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideSqualane 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 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