What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Coceth Sulfate
Cleansing
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Tromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Limonene
Perfuming
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Nut/Stem Oil
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSilybum Marianum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Water, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, PEG-40 Glyceryl Cocoate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Coceth Sulfate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Adenosine, Limonene, Caprylyl Glycol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Nut/Stem Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Silybum Marianum Extract, Tocopherol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Lactic 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.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Squalane 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
