What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventSqualane
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningLevan
Skin ProtectingXanthophylls
Skin ConditioningGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMorinda Citrifolia Extract
AstringentPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCapsicum Annuum Fruit Extract
AntimicrobialBisabolol
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingArginine
MaskingCarnitine
CleansingGlycine
BufferingHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingTetrasodium EDTA
Aronia Arbutifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Extract
EmollientCalendula Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Taraxacum Coreanum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantBoerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningViscum Album Extract
Skin ConditioningPhaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPinus Pinaster Bark Extract
AntioxidantTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantUbiquinone
AntioxidantGlutathione
Polysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSodium Carbonate
BufferingHydroxycinnamic Acid
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Ascorbic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Squalane, Alcohol, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Glycerin, Panthenol, Caffeine, Levan, Xanthophylls, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Arginine, Carnitine, Glycine, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Tetrasodium EDTA, Aronia Arbutifolia Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Extract, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Taraxacum Coreanum Flower Extract, Ferulic Acid, Allantoin, Sodium Metabisulfite, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Adenosine, Viscum Album Extract, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Ubiquinone, Glutathione, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Carbonate, Hydroxycinnamic Acid, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Beta-Glucan, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventSqualane
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEscin
TonicRuscus Aculeatus Root Extract
AstringentAmmonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAcetyl Zingerone
AntioxidantSuperoxide Dismutase
AntioxidantErgothioneine
AntioxidantPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialEctoin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Propanediol, Squalane, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Butylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Panthenol, Escin, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acetyl Zingerone, Superoxide Dismutase, Ergothioneine, Plankton Extract, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Ferulic Acid, Ectoin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Ā
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesĀ
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 AllantoinButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinFerulic Acid is a plant based antioxidant that can be naturally found in the cell walls of grains like rice, oats, and corn. It has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and has the ability to boost the performance of other antioxidants as well.
A well-known study found that adding Ferulic Acid to a solution of Vitamins C and E doubled the photoprotection of skin. This is why you'll often see it paired with Vitamin C or Vitamin E serums rather than sold on its own.
A 2025 review of 18 human studies found that using Ferulic Acid (0.5-1%) daily for one to three months showed improvements in:
As far as allergies go, Ferulic acid is generally well-tolerated but can cause an allergic reaction in very rare cases. It's also worth noting that Ferulic acid is often extracted from plant sources like rice bran or wheat bran, so be sure to path test if you have known grain allergies.
Outside of skincare, researchers are also looking into Ferulic Acid for its potential benefits in areas like diabetes, Alzheimer's, and heart health.
Learn more about Ferulic AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās 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, 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