Water. 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

Glycerin

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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 Glycerin

Squalane

Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Squalane 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.

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.

Half & Half Peptides & Ceramides Fluid Moisturizer

Peptide Pro Firming Moisturizer

When to use

Prequel Half & Half Peptides & Ceramides Fluid Moisturizer 51 ingredients

Peach & Lily Peptide Pro Firming Moisturizer 67 ingredients

54 Routines

56% use in am

44% use in pm

96% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

79 Routines

39% use in am

61% use in pm

95% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Prequel Half & Half Peptides & Ceramides Fluid Moisturizer 51 ingredients

5.0 /5

from 2 ratings

Absorbs Well (2) Great Value (2) Hydrating (2)

jimmy pickles

2 months ago

Review

I'm low-key obsessed with this product -- it feels so nourishing and moisturizing, while feeling light on the face. I've got dry skin, so I use this in addition to a more traditional/heavier moisturizer at night. I have also used it as my sole day-time moisturizer with no problem. A little goes a long way with this, so I think a bottle will last me a long time!

#great value

#hydrating

#light

#absorbs well

Prequel

Half & Half Peptides & Ceramides Fluid Moisturizer

Stephanie Goins

24 days ago

Review

I love this moisturizer so much. It has ceramides and peptides to promote a healthy skin barrier and anti-aging. Just make sure to shake well before applying to mix it up good. It is a very lightweight emulsion that I wear over my morning skincare, under my SPF, because it is light enough to play well with makeup and sunscreen. I use it at night before my tretinoin as a buffer layer, and I wake up Show more

#great value

#hydrating

#light

#absorbs well

Prequel

Half & Half Peptides & Ceramides Fluid Moisturizer

Peach & Lily Peptide Pro Firming Moisturizer 67 ingredients

2.7 /5

from 3 ratings

Absorbs Well (1) Broke Me Out (1) Hydrating (1)

AliSia_61108

1 year ago

Review

Pros
- Great texture. Glides like cushion-y silk and leaves an occlusive layer.
- A solid night cream with glass skin results.
- Smells like fruit loops.

Cons
- Hard to incorporate into some routines because of many interactions with other ingredients.
- Small breakouts (white heads) next day, ever time I used it. My skin never ended up tolerating it.

Overall: Recommend, just not Show more

#hydrating

#broke me out

#oily

#light scent

Peach & Lily

Peptide Pro Firming Moisturizer

Emily Holloway

3 months ago

Review

Wanted to love this so badly. It absorbs well overnight and has a lovely fruit smell. However, something in it caused me to break out in hives. My skin is pretty sensitive to begin with, so it could be a reaction to a number of ingredients in this product. Terribly sad it gave me a reaction because I liked the feel and smell.

#irritating

#absorbs well

#strong scent

Peach & Lily

Peptide Pro Firming Moisturizer