What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydrolyzed Dna
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingElaeis Guineensis Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningOleic Acid
EmollientInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingCholesterol
EmollientAtelocollagen
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPentapeptide-18
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingProline
Skin ConditioningHydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Squalane, Dimethicone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydrolyzed Dna, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pentylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Oleic Acid, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Cholesterol, Atelocollagen, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Caprylyl Glycol, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Pentapeptide-18, Glycine, Proline, Hydroxyproline, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPunica Granatum Seed Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBisabolol
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion StabilisingPelargonium Graveolens Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingCucumis Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydrolyzed Dna
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingWater, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, Panthenol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Cucumis Sativus Seed Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolyzed Dna, Parfum, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Carbomer, Sodium Benzoate, Adenosine, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineThis ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Dna yet.
Panthenol 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 PanthenolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumSodium 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, itās 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 āoil-freeā isnāt 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 SqualaneTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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