What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Hydroquinone
Stabilising
Squalane
Emollient
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Bombycis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Malva Sylvestris Extract
AstringentMentha Piperita Extract
CleansingPrimula Veris Extract
Skin ConditioningAlchemilla Vulgaris Extract
AstringentVeronica Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningMelilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentAchillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Hydroquinone, Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid, Kojic Acid, Retinol, Alpha-Arbutin, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Morus Bombycis Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Mentha Piperita Extract, Primula Veris Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Veronica Officinalis Extract, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Tocopherol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Laureth-7, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Polyacrylamide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Water, Glycolic Acid, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tranexamic Acid, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Butylene Glycol, Kojic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Bakuchiol, Dimethicone, Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Squalane, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinKojic Acid is a naturally occurring organic acid that is produced during the fermentation of certain fungi. It is one of the most well-studied brightening ingredients (tyrosinase inhibitors) out there.
That's why you'll see Kojic Acid in products that target dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and general uneven skin tone. It also pairs well with other brightening actives like Alpha Arbutin, Glycolic Acid, and Vitamin C derivatives.
By latching onto the copper that the enzyme tyrosinase needs to function, Kojic Acid prevents less pigment from being made. It's so well-established that researchers regularly use it as the go-to benchmark when testing new brightening ingredients.
Some other perks include documented antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) Expert Panel concluded Kojic Acid is safe for use in cosmetic products at concentrations up to 1% and the EU's SCCS (Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety) considers it safe as a skin lightening agent at concentrations up to 0.7%.
One thing to know about Kojic Acid is that stability is its weak spot; it is sensitive to light, heat, and air exposure and will oxidize/turn brown in formulations. Its derivative, Kojic Dipalmitate, was developed as a stable alternative.
Some individuals have reported contact sensitization so be sure to patch test if you have reactive or sensitive skin.
Fun fact: It was first discovered in 1907 and naturally occurs in the production of sake, soy sauce, and miso.
Learn more about Kojic 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.
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, itās 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 āoil-freeā isnāt 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
