What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningCitrus Paradisi Juice
Perfuming
Glycerin
Humectant
Papain
Skin Conditioning
Bromelain
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer
CleansingArginine
Masking
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacin
SmoothingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Riboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantSalix Alba Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Cymbopogon Martini Oil
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Citrus Paradisi Juice, Glycerin, Papain, Bromelain, Maltodextrin, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Arginine, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Niacin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Riboflavin, Salix Alba Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Perlite
Absorbent
Oryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentParfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Papain
Skin Conditioning
Bromelain
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Malic Acid
Buffering
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Iron Oxides
Galactoarabinan
Sodium Riboflavin Phosphate
Skin ConditioningWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Perlite, Oryza Sativa Starch, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Papain, Bromelain, Maltodextrin, Tocopherol, Malic Acid, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides, Galactoarabinan, Sodium Riboflavin Phosphate
Reviews
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 Juice is the filtered, stabilized liquid pressed from the inner gel of the aloe vera leaf.
In cosmetics, it shows up as either soothing active or a water-replacement base. It is roughly 98-99% water and the last 1-2% is an interesting mix of polysaccharides, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.
The polysaccharides do most of the work: they bind water at the skin surface for a light, non-greasy hydration boost. And one of the polysaccharides, glycomannan, is linked to fibroblast stimulation + collagen synthesis. This is also why aloe has such a long track record in wound and burn healing.
This ingredient is also calming with anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity, making it a great pick for sensitive, irritated, or post-sun skin.
Realistic expectations matter though; the solid evidence is mostly limited to hydration, soothing, and wound support. Deeper claims about anti-aging or sun protection are not well backed, and science reviews note it does not prevent radiation-induced skin injury.
Because it plays well with almost everything, it's commonly used as a base alongside other actives like niacinamide or vitamin C.
Typical usage concentrations range from 0.5% (where hydration benefits already show up) all the way to 90%+ (where it replaces water as the main base).
The safety for this ingredient is well-establish as well. Overall, this is a great supporting ingredient for those who want a boost in hydration.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceBromelain is a proteolytic enzyme derived from pineapple stem. It gently exfoliates by by dissolving the "glue" holding dead skin cells to your skin's surface.
By faciliating the removal of dead skin cells from the outermost layer of skin, it helps with enhancing skin firmness, hydration, and texture.
Besides exfoliation, it also has anti-inflammatory properties by blocking the inflammation signaling pathways.
It is considered gentler than traditional AHAs or physical scrubs and is a great option for sensitive skin. At this time, most of the clinical trial data on enzyme exfoliants is still limited and further in vivo research is needed.
Typical concentrations for this ingredient range between 0.1-5%.
Bromelain's use in cosmetic formulations has been limited by its sensitivity to pH and temperature (it maintains best stability at pH 5.0). This means how effective is it in a finished product can vary depending on how well the formula is designed.
Learn more about BromelainEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinMaltodextrin is a plant-derived carbohydrate made by breaking down starch (usually from corn, potato, or rice). In cosmetic formulas, it's a multitasking absorbent, emulsion stabilizer, and skin conditioner.
This ingredient is mostly used to stabilize emulsions and improve the powdery, non-greasy feel of products (like dry shampoos).
Safety-wise, this ingredient is pretty solid; it's even recognized as a food additive. Both animal and clinical studies found no adverse effects at the levels used in cosmetics.
Industry data shows this ingredient is used up to 45.7% in spray products and up to 33% in powder products.
Learn more about MaltodextrinPapain is a proteolytic enzyme extracted from unripe papaya fruit. It is a gentle exfoliator that helps remove the dead skin cells from your outermost layer of skin.
Basically, papain works by dissolving the "glue" holding dead skin cells to your skin's surface. This also promotes cell turnover and smooths texture.
Unlike other exfoliants, papain can work without causing significant irritation.
Beyond exfoliation, its proteolytic action also helps soothe irritated skin and supports the healing of minor wounds.
A 2024 in vivo/in vitro study confirmed its potential to suppress skin inflammation and improve transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in atopic dermatitis models.
Just one thing worth noting: there are reports of allergic responses in individuals with a papaya or latex sensitivity. Be sure to patch test if you're in this camp.
Learn more about PapainWater. 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
