What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Amorphophallus Konjac Root
HumectantRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Tricaprylin
Perfuming
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Roseum Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Sprout
HumectantOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Pantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Melia Azadirachta Leaf
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Squalane, Glycerin, Bakuchiol, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Amorphophallus Konjac Root, Retinol, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Tricaprylin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Water, Pelargonium Roseum Leaf Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Sprout, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Phospholipids, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Pantothenic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
PCA
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Totarol
Antioxidant
Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil
Tonic
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCalcium Pantothenate
Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Piper Nigrum Seed Extract
RefreshingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningAlanyl Glutamine
HumectantArginine
Masking
Oligopeptide-177
Phenylalanine
Masking
Sisymbrium Irio Seed Oil
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSilica
Abrasive
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, C12-16 Alcohols, Squalane, Propanediol, Glycine Soja Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ectoin, Helianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil, Palmitic Acid, Myristyl Alcohol, PCA, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Carbomer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Benzoate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Zinc PCA, Maltodextrin, Retinol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Panthenol, Totarol, Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil, Niacinamide, Sodium Hydroxide, Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Piper Nigrum Seed Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Alanyl Glutamine, Arginine, Oligopeptide-177, Phenylalanine, Sisymbrium Irio Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride, Silica
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 GlycerinRetinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.
Why is retinol famous?
It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.
Retinol is proven to:
This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.
Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.
Read about Tretinoin
Learn more about RetinolSodium 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, 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 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 AcetateWater. 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
