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 ColorantSaccharide 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
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Histidine
Humectant
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Serine
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
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate
Emulsifying
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Maris Sal
Skin ConditioningSodium 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, Maris Sal, 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
Reviews
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 a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSqualane 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
