What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSilica
AbrasiveButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberDibutyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantEthyl Ferulate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantBioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPoly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantEthyl Hexanediol
SolventWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, Pentylene Glycol, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Methicone, Diisopropyl Adipate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Ethyl Ferulate, Tocopherol, Bioflavonoids, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Tromethamine, Decyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, BHT, Ethyl Hexanediol
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveCordyceps Sinensis Extract
AntioxidantTrametes Versicolor Extract
Ceramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientBioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentCellulose
AbsorbentGarcinia Mangostana Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingArtemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-75 Stearate
Surfactant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Stearate
EmulsifyingTrideceth-10
CleansingCeteareth-20
CleansingSodium Citrate
BufferingSteareth-20
CleansingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCalcium Disodium EDTA
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Zinc Oxide, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Propanediol, Oryza Sativa Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Trametes Versicolor Extract, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide NP, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide, Cholesterol, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Bioflavonoids, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Cellulose, Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract, Cellulose Gum, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Zea Mays Starch, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Glyceryl Stearate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-75 Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG-40 Stearate, Trideceth-10, Ceteareth-20, Sodium Citrate, Steareth-20, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Allantoin, Calcium 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.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
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 preservatives
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract is an extract of the leaves of the aloe, Aloe barbadensis, Liliaceae.
Aloe is one of the most well-known natural soothing ingredients, and for good reason. It’s full of water and has a cooling, calming effect on the skin, especially when it’s sunburned, itchy, or irritated. Aloe also helps your skin stay hydrated and smooth by mimicking what healthy skin naturally produces. On top of that, it contains vitamins and nutrients that support skin recovery.
It doesn’t protect you from the sun, but it can help your skin bounce back after too much time in it.
Let’s get into the details:
Aloe contains antioxidant Vitamins A, C, and E, which help fight off free radicals (unstable molecules from things like pollution that can damage your skin).
It’s also rich in polysaccharides, which are natural sugars that help hydrate the skin by acting like the skin’s own moisturizing agents. These, along with other sugars like monosaccharides, help form a protective barrier that locks in moisture.
Aloe works as both a humectant and an emollient. That means it draws water into the skin (humectant) and helps trap it there (emollient), making it an effective natural moisturizer.
You’ll also find a mix of other skin-supporting ingredients in aloe, including folic acid, choline, calcium, amino acids, fatty acids, and even Vitamin B12.
Out of the 420+ species of aloe, Aloe barbadensis is the most widely used in skincare products thanks to its gentle yet effective properties.
There are over 420 species of aloe but Aloe Barbadensis is the most commonly used for topical products.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractBioflavonoids are secondary metabolites found in plants. They contain antioxidants.
Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Foods containing high amounts of bioflavonoids include celery, peppers, berries, grapes, citrus fruits, cocoa, and more.
Learn more about BioflavonoidsYou might know Brassica Oleracea Italica as Broccoli. Broccoli is rich in antioxidants.
Broccoli extract is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. These unstable molecules may damage your skin cells. By helping to stabilize them, antioxidants may help with anti-aging. Beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin C are three types of antioxidants found in broccoli.
Broccoli is also rich in fatty acids such as oleic and linoleic acids.
Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract can be extracted from any part of the broccoli plant.
Learn more about Brassica Oleracea Italica ExtractButylene 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 GlycolC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is a lightweight emollient made by combinig benzoic acid with fatty alcohols that are 12-15 carbons long.
In cosmetics, it plays several roles:
The Cosmetic Review Expert Panel has concluded the alkyl benzoate group to be safe as used in cosmetics; it wasn't found to be a skin irritant and unlikely to be absorbed due to its low water solubility.
This report recorded almost 1000 reported uses with concentrations up to 59% in leave-on products but your cosmetics will typically use 0.5-15% depending on the product.
It's often called a "SPF booster": this is because it keeps UV filters properly dissolved and evenly distributed to support a sunscreen's performance. It doesn't actually raise SPF on its own.
Overall, this ingredient is well tolerated.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because it is an ester of benzoic acid.
Think of this ingredient as two parts stuck together: an oily part and an acid part. Malassezia only gets a meal when it can snip off a fatty acid to eat. With C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, the acid part is benzoic acid, which isn't a fatty acid and which the yeast can't use as food.
Benzoic acid is actually used as a preservative to stop yeast from growing.
The oily part is a blend of C12-15 fatty alcohols but fatty alcohols in this size range can support only a little Malassezia growth (mostly for one species of Malassezia as well).
In the ingredient, those alcohols stay locked inside the molecule. The yeast can only reach them by snipping the benzoate bond, and that type of bond is harder for it to cut than a normal fatty bond.
So not much gets released. And whatever does get snipped comes packaged with benzoic acid, which discourages yeast growth.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s 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 PropanediolWater. 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