What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientVetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantWithania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
AntioxidantSambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentVitis Vinifera Skin Extract
AntioxidantRubia Cordifolia Stem Extract
HumectantSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantGlucosylrutin
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Phospholipids, Glucose, Centella Asiatica Leaf/Stem Extract, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Polyglutamic Acid, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Skin Extract, Rubia Cordifolia Stem Extract, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Tocopherol, Glucosylrutin, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Water
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicSodium Benzoate
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientPisum Sativum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPoloxamer 235
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Ascorbate
AntioxidantEpigallocatechin Gallate
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeBHA
AntioxidantPapain
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Cocos Nucifera Water, Niacinamide, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Propanediol, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Rhizome/Root Extract, Xanthan Gum, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Pisum Sativum Seed Extract, Poloxamer 235, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Ascorbate, Epigallocatechin Gallate, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, BHA, Papain, Allantoin, Parfum, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract is a botanical extract pulled from the leaves of aloe vera and one of the most studied plant ingredients in cosmetics.
The inner leaf gel it comes from is mostly water (~99-99.5%) and the remaining fraction is made up of pretty good stuff: polysaccharides, vitamins, phenolics, and enzymes.
Its headline job is hydration.
The star polysaccharide in aloe, acemannan, is a humectant that retains moisture and helps reduce trans-epidermal water loss.
Aloe also has real soothing credentials; it contains anti-inflammatory compounds like bradykinase and C-glucosyl chromone that help calm irritation and redness.
On the repair side, lab work shows that acemannan wakes up your skin's repair cells (fibroblasts), prompting them to multiply and speed up healing.
There's some human data for cosmetic benefit too: a cream containing 10% Aloe Barbadensis leaf extract improved skin hydration and elasticity in a real-use study.
Safety-wise, this ingredient is well-regarded with just one rare downside; there have been some case reports of acute eczema, contact urticaria, and dermatitis in people who applied aloe-derived ingredients topically. Those with a known aloe or Liliaceae sensitivity should patch test.
Typical use levels range widely, from under 1% up to 90%+ depending on the format and the effect you are after.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum