What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Collagen Water 54%
HumectantOctyldodecanol
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPolyvinyl Alcohol
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMethylpropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingAlgin
MaskingPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningHectorite
AbsorbentPullulan
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Polystyrene Sulfonate
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantGlycerin
HumectantArtemisia Vulgaris Oil
PerfumingBetaine
HumectantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTrehalose
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientHexyldecyl Myristoyl Methylaminopropionate
EmollientLithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveSodium DNA
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCollagen Water 54%, Octyldodecanol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, Algin, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polysorbate 80, Water, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Hectorite, Pullulan, Isononyl Isononanoate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glycerin, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Betaine, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cellulose Gum, Trehalose, Adenosine, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Squalane, Hexyldecyl Myristoyl Methylaminopropionate, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Arginine, Carbomer, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Sodium DNA, Sodium Phytate, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPullulan
Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate
Emulsion StabilisingAlgin
MaskingPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPectin
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSucrose
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantDisodium Phosphate
BufferingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Phosphate
BufferingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantCholesterol
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningAcetylphytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantAlanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSodium DNA
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Pullulan, Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate, Algin, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Polysorbate 80, Pectin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Sucrose, Tromethamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cellulose Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Polysorbate 60, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Squalane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Phosphate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Tocopherol, Cholesterol, Ceramide NP, Acetylphytosphingosine, Tripeptide-1, Phytosphingosine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hexapeptide-11, Hexapeptide-9, Nonapeptide-1, Sodium DNA
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.
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 preservatives
Algin is brown algae. Algae is an informal term for a group of aquatic organisms that can photosynthesize. It is estimated there are at least 30,000 types of Algae.
Algae contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCellulose Gum is a water-soluble polymer that comes from cellulose. It is used to change the texture of a product and to help stabilize emulsions.
As an emulsifier, cellulose gum specifically thicken the texture of water-based products.
This ingredient is considered hypoallergenic and non-toxic. Cellulose Gum can be found in cosmetics, food, and other household goods such as paper products.
Learn more about Cellulose GumDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidPolysorbate 80 is a synthetic surfactant and emulsifier derived from sorbitol and oleic acid.
It reduces the surface tension between oil and water phases to help them stay mixed and stable in a formulation. In other words, it prevents your formulas from separating into an oily mess.
The CIR Expert Panel has evaluated the scientific data and found this ingredient to be safe, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing at concentrations up to 5% (it's even approved by the FDA as an OTC eye drop ingredient).
Learn more about Polysorbate 80Pullulan is a low viscosity polysaccharide (a long chain carbohydrate) with binding and film forming properties when dissolved in water. It is used to create a "silicone-like" or silky feel in cosmetics without adding viscosity.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient's ability to easily dissolves makes it a great carrier for active ingredients.
Due to it being edible and tasteless, you'll likely find this ingredient in breath freshener strips. This ingredient is produced from the starch of the fungus, Aureobasidium pullulans.
Pullulan is stable over a broad-range of pH.
Learn more about PullulanSodium DNA is an emerging anti-aging ingredient.
It is created by taking deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and purifying it with sodium hydroxide.
The DNA is extracted from several different animal sources, including: calf thymus, the gonadic tissue of a male sturgeon, or herring / salmon sperm.
You have probably seen this ingredient in anti-aging skincare. But what is it?
DNA is composed of nucleotides, or chemical building blocks. Nucleotides include adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C). Talk about a flashback to biology! Nucleosides are formed from these nucleotides.
The science behind Sodium DNA is based on an ingredient called Polydeoxyribonucleotide or PDRN.
PDRN are DNA fragments mainly extracted from the sperm cells of trout or salmon. Meaning, PDRN can be derived from Sodium DNA.
PDRN consists of chains of nucleotides and nucleosides mentioned above. They can range anywhere from 80 - 2000 pairs.
Studies show PDRN has the following properties:
Most of the research on PDRN has been done using injectable forms. That’s important, because PDRN is a large molecule and doesn’t absorb well through the skin. So if you’re applying it topically, the effects are likely to be much milder.
Still, topical Sodium DNA is emerging as a trendy anti-aging ingredient. It’s generally well-tolerated and offers good biocompatibility with human skin, making it a low-risk addition to most routines.
Further studies are needed to truly confirm this ingredients anti-aging ability (Remember, retinol has decades of research!).
Sodium DNA may be sourced from fish, animal tissue, or plants. Since this isn’t always disclosed, we recommend asking the brand directly if the ingredient’s origin is important to you.
Learn more about Sodium DNAThis ingredient is a high molecular weight sulfonate. It is used to help stabilize ingredients and help form a gel.
You might see this ingredient called Flexan.
Squalane 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 SqualaneTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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