Glassy Surf™ Hydrating Facial Cream

Water, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vegetable Glycerin, Propanediol, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil Organic, Jojoba Esters, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Organic, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Astrocaryum (Murumuru) Seed Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, D-alpha-Tocopheryl acetate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Caramel Organic, Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Corn Starch, Acacia Senegal Gum Organic, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract.

What each ingredient does, line by line:

Water: The base of the cream. The oil and butter ingredients below are emulsified through it, which is what makes this a cream instead of a balm.

Squalane: A lightweight, skin friendly oil, commonly made from olives or sugarcane, and second on this list, so it carries real weight in the formula. It softens and smooths the feel of skin without a heavy or greasy finish, and it is the bridge that helps this cream seal in the serum step under it.

Glyceryl Stearate: An emulsifier made from glycerin and plant fatty acids. It is the ingredient that holds the water and oils together as one stable cream.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: A light emollient usually derived from coconut or palm. It gives the cream its silky spread and soft finish.

Vegetable Glycerin: A plant derived humectant that pulls water toward the skin. It supports the hydrated feel under the cream's sealing layer.

Propanediol: A humectant and solvent, usually made from corn sugar. It helps the formula spread smoothly and supports moisture.

Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax: A plant wax from the candelilla shrub. It gives the cream structure and helps the sealing layer stay in place on skin.

Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil Organic: Oil pressed from jojoba seeds, technically a liquid wax that closely resembles skin's own sebum. It softens skin and supports the moisture seal.

Jojoba Esters: A firmer form of jojoba, made from the same seed oil. They add body to the cream and a smooth, cushioned feel.

Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Organic: Butter pressed from shea nuts. It is a rich emollient that helps skin feel soft, cushioned, and protected from dryness.

Cetearyl Alcohol: A fatty alcohol, which is a waxy softener and not a drying alcohol. It thickens the cream and helps skin feel smooth.

Cetearyl Glucoside: A plant sugar based emulsifier that works with the glyceryl stearate to keep the cream stable. Sugar based emulsifiers are a common pick in formulas aimed at comfortable feeling skin.

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate: A ferment made by fermenting radish root. It is part of this cream's preservation support system, helping protect the water based formula.

Astrocaryum (Murumuru) Seed Butter: Butter from the seeds of the murumuru palm, rich in fatty acids. It is a powerful emollient that helps seal moisture into the skin, which is a large part of how this cream keeps skin feeling soft and hydrated.

Cetyl Alcohol: Another fatty alcohol, a waxy ingredient that gives the cream body and a smooth glide. Like cetearyl alcohol above, it softens rather than dries.

Glyceryl Caprylate: An emollient made from glycerin and plant fatty acids that also supports preservation. It does double duty, softening skin while helping keep the formula protected.

Citric Acid: A pH adjuster made by fermenting plant sugars. A small amount keeps the cream at a skin friendly pH and supports the preservative system.

Xanthan Gum: A thickener made by fermenting plant sugars. It keeps the cream's texture even and prevents separation.

D-alpha-Tocopheryl acetate: A stable form of vitamin E and an antioxidant. It helps protect the oils in the formula from going rancid and supports skin that feels comfortable.

Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil: Oil pressed from sunflower seeds, light and rich in linoleic acid. It softens skin and supports a comfortable moisture barrier feel.

Linoleic Acid: An omega 6 fatty acid that skin uses in its own barrier lipids. Included directly here, it supports skin that feels calm and well moisturized.

Linolenic Acid: An omega 3 fatty acid, the partner to linoleic acid above. It supports the same barrier lipid group.

Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil: Oil from camellia seeds, a light and elegant emollient used for centuries in East Asian skincare. It softens skin without heaviness.

Sodium Levulinate: A preservative support ingredient made from plant derived levulinic acid. It works with the sodium anisate beside it as part of the cream's protection system.

Sodium Anisate: A preservative support ingredient derived from anise and fennel plants. Paired with sodium levulinate, it helps guard the formula against mold and yeast.

Caramel Organic: Caramelized plant sugar, present at a very low level late in the list. In formulas like this one it is generally there to give the cream its warm tint.

Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid): The salt form of hyaluronic acid, a humectant that holds water at the skin's surface. Inside a sealing cream it helps keep the water from the serum step where it belongs, so skin feels hydrated for longer.

Corn Starch: A plant starch that absorbs surface shine and gives the cream its smooth, non greasy finish. It is part of why this cream feels glassy rather than slick.

Acacia Senegal Gum Organic: Gum from the acacia tree, a natural thickener and film former. It supports the cream's texture and smooth finish.

Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract: An extract of green tea leaves, closing the list. Green tea is rich in plant antioxidants, and here it supports skin that looks calm and refreshed.

Free from note, as stated on this product's store page: the formula is listed as having no parabens, no fragrance, and no phthalates.