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 ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantHydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Squalane
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingCitrus Reticulata Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingSophora Japonica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingCitrus Junos Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventHoney Extract
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPalmitic Acid
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
MaskingZea Mays Kernel Extract
Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Malt Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract
Skin ProtectingLinoleic Acid
CleansingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningOleic Acid
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantFructan
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLinolenic Acid
CleansingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Urea, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Squalane, Triethylhexanoin, Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract, Sophora Japonica Fruit Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Citrus Junos Peel Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Ceramide NP, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Propanediol, Honey Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Tocopherol, Palmitic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Zea Mays Kernel Extract, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Hydrolyzed Malt Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract, Linoleic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Polygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract, Oleic Acid, Bisabolol, Fructan, Glucose, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Linolenic Acid, Limonene, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinAmmonium 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 CopolymerCitric 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlucose is a simple sugar (a monosaccharide). In skincare, it is mostly a humectant and skin conditioning agent.
Mechanistically, it has multiple hydroxyl groups that hydrogen-bond to water. This pulls moisture into the upper layers of skin to keep the surface soft and hydrated.
It's worth knowing sugars are already a natural component of the skin's NMF (natural moisturizing factor) so it's a molecule that your stratum corneum is well-acquainted with.
Just so you know, glucose is hydrophilic (water-loving) and the stratum corneum is a strong barrier to hydrophilic compounds. This just means penetration is slow and most of the action is happening on the surface.
Gram-to-gram, glucose is not as efficient as a humectant as glycerin. This is why you'll likely see glycose paired with stronger humectants for a bigger hydration payoff.
In skincare, glucose is typically derived from corn or other starch sources.
Learn more about GlucoseHydrolyzed 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 AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.Â
Itâs 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, itâs 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 âoil-freeâ isnât 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