What's inside

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Show highlights for:

Water

Skin Conditioning

Hydrogenated Polydecene

Emollient

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Paraffinum Liquidum

Emollient
0-2 / 0 Oil IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Petrolatum

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Paraffin

Perfuming
Fragrance IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Squalane

Emollient
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Glyceryl Oleate

Emollient
Fragrance IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium PCA

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Glutamic Acid

Humectant
Helps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Dipropylene Glycol

Humectant

Carnosine

Skin Conditioning
Helps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Beeswax

Emulsion Stabilising
0-2 / 0 Bad for Acne Prone Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Microcrystalline Wax

Emulsion Stabilising
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Alcohol

Antimicrobial
Alcohol IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Polyethylene

Abrasive
Exfoliant Icon

Methylparaben

Preservative
0 / 0 Paraben IconPreservative IconMay worsen Eczema IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Ethylparaben

Preservative
Paraben IconPreservative IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate

Skin Conditioning

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Trisodium EDTA

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Sodium Metabisulfite

Antioxidant
Preservative IconAntioxidant Icon

Caffeine

Skin Conditioning
Helps with Anti-Aging IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

CI 77492

Cosmetic Colorant

PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether

Skin Conditioning

PPG-3 Dipivalate

Skin Conditioning

Linalool

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Rosacea IconEU Allergen Icon

Limonene

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Rosacea IconEU Allergen Icon

Sapindus Mukorossi Peel Extract

Skin Conditioning

Citronellol

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Uncaria Gambir Extract

Astringent

Geraniol

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract

Skin Conditioning

Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract

Cleansing

Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps reduce Skin Redness Icon

Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Hydroxyproline

Skin Conditioning

CI 77491

Cosmetic Colorant

Citrus Junos Seed Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract

Masking
May worsen Eczema Icon

Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Chlorella Vulgaris Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Eucheuma Serra/Grateloupia Sparsa/Saccharina Angustata/Ulva Linza/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract

Emollient

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

Sodium Lactate

Buffering

BHT

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Curcuma Longa Rhizome Extract

Skin Conditioning

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Saccharina Angustata/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract

Emollient

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Methyl Trimethicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Water

Skin Conditioning

Bifida Ferment Lysate

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Reviews

5.00
Overall rating
5
4
3
2
1
What people say
Absorbs Well 50% Heavy 50% Hydrating 50%
3.25
Overall rating
5
4
3
2
1
What people say
Hydrating 50% Expensive 50% Doesn't Work 25%

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

BHT
Antioxidant, Masking

BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.

As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.

As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.

The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.

However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.

Learn more about BHT
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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 Glycol
Skin Conditioning

Caffeine is most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and is rich in antioxidants.

While caffeine is used to treat cellulite and and dark circles, further studies are needed to prove this. It has been believed to help with these skin conditions due to its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow.

Some studies are looking into caffeine's ability to protect against UV rays.

Learn more about Caffeine
Emollient

Petrolatum is more commonly known as petroleum jelly. It is created by mixing waxes and mineral oils.

This ingredient is effective at reducing water loss by 99%. This is because it is an occlusive. Occlusives create a hydrophobic barrier on the skin to prevent evaporation. This property makes it great for hydrating dry skin.

Pro tip: Use occlusives, such as this ingredient, on damp skin for the best results.

The quality or origin of petrolatum is only known when disclosed by the brand. Most cosmetic petrolatum has gone through several purification stages.

Another benefit of occlusives is it protects your skin against infection or allergies.

Petrolatum may not be safe for fungal-acne. Studies show mineral oil / petroleum leads to the growth of M. Furfur, a type of yeast.

Learn more about Petrolatum
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.

Read more about squalene with an "e".

Is squalane an oil?

Squalane is often called an oil, but it’s technically not; it’s a hydrocarbon, meaning it’s only made of carbon and hydrogen, unlike true oils which are triglycerides 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.

While some people avoid oils thinking they cause breakouts, the right kind of oil (or oil-like ingredient like squalane) can actually help balance and hydrate your skin. It’s worth testing out simple oils or squalane to see what works best for your skin.

Learn more about Squalane
Skin Conditioning, Antioxidant

Tocopheryl 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 Acetate
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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

Similar Comparisons