What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol 10%
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingBambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTromethamine
BufferingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningWater, Panthenol 10%, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tromethamine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Copper Tripeptide-1
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientGlycereth-26
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Dilaurate
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantNicotinoyl Dipeptide-23
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Water, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyglutamic Acid, Phenyl Trimethicone, Squalane, Octyldodecanol, Glycereth-26, Pentylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Dilaurate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-23, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Arginine, Allantoin, Panthenol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dicaprylyl Ether, Adenosine, Propanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
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 GlycolDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, antiâinflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizatePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium 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, itâs 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 âoil-freeâ isnât 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