What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantBetaine
HumectantIsopentyldiol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSqualane
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
EmollientCeteareth-12
EmulsifyingCeteareth-20
CleansingLecithin
EmollientTheobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Zea Mays Germ Oil
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil
EmollientChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantErythritol
HumectantCarrageenan
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantPanthenyl Triacetate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzoic Acid
MaskingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isononyl Isononanoate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Saccharide Isomerate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Betaine, Isopentyldiol, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, Panthenol, Caffeine, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl Palmitate, Ceteareth-12, Ceteareth-20, Lecithin, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Zea Mays Germ Oil, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Polysorbate 20, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Trideceth-6, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA, Erythritol, Carrageenan, Xanthan Gum, Propanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Panthenyl Triacetate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzoic Acid, Ascorbic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-40 Stearate
EmulsifyingPEG-3 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingDiglycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingPEG-5 Stearate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPalmitic Acid
EmollientBatyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantTrimethylsilyl Hydrolyzed Silk Pg-Propyl Methylsilanediol Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantMyristic Acid
CleansingLecithin
EmollientDextrin
AbsorbentTetrasodium Etidronate
Emulsion StabilisingHoney
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientAlpha-Glucan
HumectantHydrogenated Rapeseed Alcohol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventMaltodextrin
AbsorbentMethyl Carboxymethylphenyl Aminocarboxypropylphosphonate
AntioxidantGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantPunica Granatum Seed Cell Culture Lysate
Skin ConditioningBeheneth-30
CleansingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingGlucosyl Ceramide
Skin ConditioningBehenic Acid
CleansingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium PCA
HumectantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientRosa Multiflora Fruit Extract
MaskingHoney Extract
HumectantRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
CleansingBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantGeranium Robertianum Extract
AstringentSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantRosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract
TonicAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentNasturtium Officinale Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningBioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantifolia Juice
CleansingHypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Juice
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialZizyphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingAesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Sclerotium Extract
AstringentCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingCitrus Limon Juice
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSaponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialVitis Vinifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
AstringentCrataegus Cuneata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingWater, Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Squalane, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-40 Stearate, PEG-3 Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Diglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Tristearate, PEG-5 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Batyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Glucoside, Trimethylsilyl Hydrolyzed Silk Pg-Propyl Methylsilanediol Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Myristic Acid, Lecithin, Dextrin, Tetrasodium Etidronate, Honey, Cyclopentasiloxane, Alpha-Glucan, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Alcohol, Propanediol, Maltodextrin, Methyl Carboxymethylphenyl Aminocarboxypropylphosphonate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Punica Granatum Seed Cell Culture Lysate, Beheneth-30, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glucosyl Ceramide, Behenic Acid, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium PCA, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract, Honey Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Coco-Glucoside, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Arginine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Propolis Extract, Glucose, Geranium Robertianum Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Rosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Leaf/Stem Extract, Ceramide AP, Ceramide NP, Bioflavonoids, Citrus Aurantifolia Juice, Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Juice, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Zizyphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Ceramide Ng, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Citrus Limon Juice, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Leaf Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Crataegus Cuneata Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 TriglycerideCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinThis ingredient is also known as Macadamia Seed Oil. It's an emollient with a fatty acid profile that closely mirrors the skin's own lipid makeup.
The palmitoleic acid content is especially notable as it's somewhat rare in plant oils. Palmitoleic acid is something your skin already makes naturally. It helps keep cell membranes structured and plays a role in fighting off harmful microbes.
This palmitoleic content is also part of why macademia seed oil absorbs quickly and doesn't leave much of a greasy residue.
It also contains oleic acid, linoleic acid, and phytosterols that can help reduce redness.
In vitro research has shown the oil to have meaningful antioxidant activity, protect fats in the skin from oxidative damage, and slow down the enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid.
A 2024 clinical study found it effective at improving skin hydratino and reducing wrinkle appearance when formulated into nanoemulsions.
Because it carries oleic acid (C18) and palmitic acid (C16), this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. This is because the Malassezia yeast metabolizes in the C11-24 chain length range.
You'll also see this ingredient listed as: Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil .
These two oils are identical in composition and M. ternifolia is an older INCI naming convention for the edible macadamia nut while M. integrifolia is the species actually cultivated for oil production. Both names refer to the same oil.
Learn more about Macadamia Ternifolia Seed OilPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Fungal acne: The Malassezia yeast is known to metabolize fatty acids in the C11-24 range and jojoba's dominant fatty acid components fall into this range. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCASqualane 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum