What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Zinc PCA
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Seed Extract
HumectantAcetyl Heptapeptide-4
HumectantGlucose
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Squalane, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Triheptanoin, Saccharide Isomerate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Zinc PCA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract, Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Glucose, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, C14-22 Alcohols, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingScenedesmus Rubescens Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLactic Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Squalane, Glycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Panthenol, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lactate, Scenedesmus Rubescens Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Sodium PCA, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lactic Acid, Citric 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.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerCaprylyl 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric 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 AcidPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol 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 PropanediolSqualane 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 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