What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Squalane
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientEthyl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sucrose Laurate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantSucrose Dilaurate
Emollient
Sucrose Trilaurate
Emulsifying
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingIsoceteth-20
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Malic Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Squalane, Water, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Sucrose Stearate, Ethyl Macadamiate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sucrose Laurate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Sucrose Dilaurate, Sucrose Trilaurate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Isoceteth-20, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopherol, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Malic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Nylon-12
Squalane
Emollient
Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin Conditioning
Ceteareth-12
EmulsifyingSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingCaprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingSorbitol
Humectant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Isomalt
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil
Emollient
Asparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Fraxinus Excelsior Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSteareth-20
CleansingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAlteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein
Skin ConditioningChrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Geranylgeranylisopropanol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Esculin
StabilisingRumex Occidentalis Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Medicago Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Creatine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Silanetriol
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone
Antioxidant
Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingSuperoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
N-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Rhododendron Ferrugineum Leaf Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Iris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingGlutathione
Urea
Buffering
Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel Forming
Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Chrysin
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicDipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Dextran
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-10 Citrulline
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
BHA
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Sulfite
Preservative
Water, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Nylon-12, Squalane, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Ceteareth-12, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Steareth-2, Sorbitol, Bisabolol, Isomalt, Niacinamide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Sodium Carbomer, Palmitic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Sodium Metabisulfite, Fraxinus Excelsior Bark Extract, Steareth-20, Maltodextrin, Carbomer, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Adenosine, Geranylgeranylisopropanol, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Lactate, Esculin, Rumex Occidentalis Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Medicago Sativa Seed Extract, Sodium Citrate, Polysorbate 20, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Creatine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Silanetriol, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Glycine Soja Protein, Superoxide Dismutase, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Tocopherol, Rhododendron Ferrugineum Leaf Cell Culture Extract, Phospholipids, Ubiquinone, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Citric Acid, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Glutathione, Urea, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Lactic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Chrysin, Biotin, Dipeptide-2, Dipeptide-4, Xanthan Gum, Retinol, Dextran, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Tripeptide-10 Citrulline, BHT, Tripeptide-1, BHA, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Sulfite
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/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 ingredientâs 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 TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.
It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.
One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.
This ingredient is also known as Sepimax Zen.
Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Squalane 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 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
