What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexanol
PerfumingGlycerin
HumectantSaccharomyces/Grape Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientStearyl Olivate
EmollientSucrose Stearate
EmollientBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantStearic Acid
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAlcohol
AntimicrobialCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycine
BufferingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningSafflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLecithin
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingColloidal Gold
AntimicrobialRetinol
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialSoy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientZea Mays Oil
EmulsifyingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantGeranyl Acetate
PerfumingNerolidol
PerfumingWater, Ethylhexanol, Glycerin, Saccharomyces/Grape Ferment Extract, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Squalane, Stearyl Olivate, Sucrose Stearate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycine, Glycine Soja Oil, Polysorbate 80, Phospholipids, Safflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Colloidal Gold, Retinol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Citronellol, Geraniol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Soy Isoflavones, Sodium Benzoate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Zea Mays Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Geranyl Acetate, Nerolidol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Olivate
Skin ConditioningC9-12 Alkane
SolventCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientDiglucosyl Gallic Acid
Squalane
EmollientSorbitan Sesquiisostearate
EmulsifyingPlukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
EmollientMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCalcium Chloride
AstringentSea Salt
AbrasiveSodium Stearate
CleansingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantQuercetin
AntioxidantPPG-8-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingSodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantUbiquinone
AntioxidantAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCeteareth-20
CleansingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate
EmulsifyingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Mica, Ethylhexyl Olivate, C9-12 Alkane, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Squalane, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Calcium Chloride, Sea Salt, Sodium Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Quercetin, PPG-8-Ceteth-20, Sodium Carrageenan, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Ubiquinone, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Citrate, Ceteareth-20, Dipropylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 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 SqualaneTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skinās lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum