What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Dimethicone
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-150
HumectantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Squalane
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
PEG-10 Rapeseed Sterol
CleansingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Glyceryl Stearate/Acetate
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEmpetrum Nigrum Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCholesterol
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Glycereth-20
HumectantPolyurethane-15
Trisodium EDTA
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
Humectant
Asparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Arginine
Masking
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Quercetin
Antioxidant
Amodimethicone
Cordyceps Militaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCordyceps Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTypha Angustifolia Spike Extract
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
Humectant
Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Extract
Perfuming
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Glutamate
MaskingOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Atractylodes Japonica Rhizome Extract
Skin ConditioningSaposhnikovia Divaricata Root Extract
AntimicrobialZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Dna
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningTryptophan
MaskingAsparagine
MaskingBiotin/Folic Acid/Cyanocobalamin/Niacinamide/Pantothenic Acid/Pyridoxine/Riboflavin/Thiamine/Yeast Polypeptides
Skin Conditioning
Glutamine
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Alanine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Threonine
Glycoproteins
Skin Conditioning
Lysine
Skin ConditioningSerine
Masking
Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArbutin
Antioxidant
Valine
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingOligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Ganoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin Protecting
Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract
AstringentHistidine Hcl
Skin ConditioningMethionine
Skin ConditioningInositol
Humectant
Cystine
MaskingFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingCalcium Pantothenate
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, PEG-150, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxyproline, Polysorbate 60, C14-22 Alcohols, Squalane, Ceramide NP, Tromethamine, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Triethylhexanoin, Carbomer, Allantoin, PEG-10 Rapeseed Sterol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethiconol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Glyceryl Stearate/Acetate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Empetrum Nigrum Fruit Juice, Mica, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol, CI 77891, Cholesterol, PEG-100 Stearate, Beta-Glucan, Glycereth-20, Polyurethane-15, Trisodium EDTA, CI 77491, Glycine Soja Oil, Betaine, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Trehalose, Asparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Quercetin, Amodimethicone, Cordyceps Militaris Extract, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Disodium EDTA, Phytosterols, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxide, Typha Angustifolia Spike Extract, Glutamic Acid, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sorbitan Oleate, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Sodium Glutamate, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Atractylodes Japonica Rhizome Extract, Saposhnikovia Divaricata Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Sodium Dna, Potassium Aspartate, Tryptophan, Asparagine, Biotin/Folic Acid/Cyanocobalamin/Niacinamide/Pantothenic Acid/Pyridoxine/Riboflavin/Thiamine/Yeast Polypeptides, Glutamine, Potassium Sorbate, Proline, Alanine, Glycine, Threonine, Glycoproteins, Lysine, Serine, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Arbutin, Valine, Leucine, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Oligopeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Oligopeptide-2, Isoleucine, Histidine, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Oligopeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Histidine Hcl, Methionine, Inositol, Cystine, Folic Acid, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine Hcl, Thiamine Hcl, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Riboflavin, Cyanocobalamin, Parfum, Geraniol, Linalool, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Pentaerythrityl Tetracaprylate/Tetracaprate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantRetinal
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTerminalia Chebula Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Glucoside
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Squalane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetracaprylate/Tetracaprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, C20-22 Alcohols, Acacia Senegal Gum, Adenosine, Cetearyl Glucoside, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, CI 17200, Retinal, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Terminalia Chebula Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This 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 ButterGlycerin (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 GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideSqualane 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 Water
