What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Lauryl Esters
Emulsion Stabilising
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Rosa Rugosa Leaf Extract
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Sodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBoswellia Serrata Oil
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Benzyl Glycol
SolventGlucose
Humectant
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Mannose
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Raspberry Ketone
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Water, Butylene Glycol, Isoamyl Laurate, Squalane, Glycerin, Panthenol, Betaine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Lauryl Esters, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Jojoba Esters, Cetearyl Glucoside, Rosa Rugosa Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Carbomer, Glyceryl Glucoside, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Allantoin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Boswellia Serrata Oil, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Maltodextrin, Benzyl Glycol, Glucose, Soluble Collagen, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Mannose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Hyaluronic Acid, Raspberry Ketone
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningVerbena Officinalis Extract
EmollientChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Tamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Water, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Verbena Officinalis Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Maltodextrin, Ceramide NP, Tamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide
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 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 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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans yet.
Maltodextrin 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 MaltodextrinPropanediol 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
