What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Dimethyl Sulfone
SolventGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Potassium Stearate
CleansingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Crithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningMatrixyl 3000
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Crocus Sativus Stigma Water
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Camellia Sinensis Callus
Antimicrobial
Thioctic Acid
Antioxidant
Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed
Abrasive
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root
Skin ConditioningEuphrasia Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialHelichrysum Italicum Flower Oil
Masking
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Masking
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingUbiquinone
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phytic Acid
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Acetum
Citrus Medica Limonum Peel
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Arnica Montana Flower
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower
Skin Conditioning
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Vitis Vinifera
MaskingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Glycolic Acid, Dimethyl Sulfone, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Squalane, Lactic Acid, Isopropyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Stearyl Alcohol, Potassium Stearate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Matrixyl 3000, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Crocus Sativus Stigma Water, Carbomer, Arginine, Beeswax, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Callus, Thioctic Acid, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root, Euphrasia Officinalis Extract, Helichrysum Italicum Flower Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Ubiquinone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phytic Acid, Phospholipids, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Acetum, Citrus Medica Limonum Peel, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sclerotium Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Panthenol, Arnica Montana Flower, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Vitis Vinifera, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Sodium Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Alcohol
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water
Skin Conditioning
2,3-Butanediol
HumectantOleyl Erucate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
C9-12 Alkane
SolventGlyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sequoia Sempervirens Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Carrageenan
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, 2,3-Butanediol, Oleyl Erucate, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, C9-12 Alkane, Glyceryl Behenate, Coco-Caprylate, Water, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Caffeine, Benzyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sequoia Sempervirens Stem Extract, Tocopherol, Glycerin, Carrageenan, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Sodium Hydroxide, Dehydroacetic Acid, Glycine Soja Oil
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 JuiceBenzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with several roles: it's a preservative, solvent, and mild fragrance component with a floral scent.
This ingredient has been deemed safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%, and up to 10% in hair dyes. You'll typically see 0.5-2% in most rinse-off or leave-on products.
As a preservative, it works by disrupting the membrane of microbial proteins. This helps keep bacteria and fungi from growing in your products.
The sensitization picture is actually quite assuring as well:of nearly 71,000 patients patch tested with benzyl alcohol, only 0.21% showed a positive reaction with most of them being weakly positive.
This led researchers to conclude that benzyl alcohol cannot be regarded as a significant contact allergen.
It is worth noting this ingredient is classified as one of the EU's regulated fragrance allergens and restricted to 1% in finished products.
Labels must also declare it in concentrations above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
At concentrations around 5%, localized redness and itching can appear as a direct irritant response and not as a true allergic reaction.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
