What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin Conditioning
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientIsoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientUndecane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Tridecane
Perfuming
Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate
Emulsifying
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Glycogen
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Water, Ectoin, Isopentyldiol, Triethylhexanoin, Diisopropyl Adipate, Isoamyl Laurate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Undecane, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Squalane, Tridecane, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glycogen, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
C9-12 Alkane
SolventMica
Cosmetic Colorant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Alanine
MaskingArginine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Histidine
Humectant
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
Masking
Proline
Skin ConditioningSerine
Masking
Threonine
Valine
MaskingSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Aspartic Acid
Masking
PCA
Humectant
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Sodium Lactate
BufferingSodium PCA
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate
Emulsifying
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sea Salt
Abrasive
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
PPG-8-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Ethylhexyl Olivate, C9-12 Alkane, Mica, Saccharide Isomerate, Polyglutamic Acid, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Squalane, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Alanine, Arginine, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Valine, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Sodium Carrageenan, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Pentylene Glycol, Sorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Panthenol, Sea Salt, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Metabisulfite, PPG-8-Ceteth-20, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77491, 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.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is a lightweight emollient. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Once applied, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateSodium 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
