What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantMyristyl Myristate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSqualane
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientTricaprylin
MaskingPEG-4 Dilaurate
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCucumis Sativus Oil
EmollientFerula Galbaniflua Resin Oil
AntimicrobialBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGigartina Stellata Extract
Skin ProtectingHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientGelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientTocopheryl Linoleate/Oleate
AntioxidantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantCetyl Ricinoleate
EmollientBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPEG-100 Stearate
Steareth-20
CleansingBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Butylene Glycol, Myristyl Myristate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Tricaprylin, PEG-4 Dilaurate, Cetyl Alcohol, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Cucumis Sativus Oil, Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil, Benzyl Salicylate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Gigartina Stellata Extract, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Tocopheryl Linoleate/Oleate, Caffeine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Sodium Hyaluronate, PEG-100 Stearate, Steareth-20, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 60, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Squalane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingOctyldodecanol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientPolyacrylate-13
Palmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyisobutene
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Betula Alba Juice
AstringentPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningWater, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Olivate, Squalane, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Octyldodecanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Beeswax, Dimethicone, Polyacrylate-13, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Polyisobutene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Disodium EDTA, Betula Alba Juice, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Myristic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCetearyl 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 AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePhenoxyethanol 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 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 HyaluronateSqualane 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 it’s technically not; it’s a hydrocarbon, meaning it’s only made of carbon and hydrogen, unlike true oils which are triglycerides 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.
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. It’s worth testing out simple oils or squalane to see what works best for your skin.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water