What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingSodium PCA
HumectantC15-23 Alkane
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
EmollientVp/Va Copolymer
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingLysolecithin
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingC13-14 Alkane
SolventPullulan
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingSilica
AbrasiveTocopherol
AntioxidantAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientCaryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningSalvia Hispanica Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientPassiflora Edulis Seed Oil
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingMelia Azedarach Fruit Extract
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Glycerin, Propanediol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Parfum, Sodium PCA, C15-23 Alkane, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Vp/Va Copolymer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Phenoxyethanol, Decyl Glucoside, Coco-Glucoside, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Hexylene Glycol, C13-14 Alkane, Pullulan, Xanthan Gum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lactic Acid, Silica, Tocopherol, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Caryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Melia Azedarach Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventVp/Va Copolymer
Betaine
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCaprylic Acid
CleansingXylitol
HumectantSelaginella Lepidophylla Extract
EmollientOcimum Basilicum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPiper Nigrum Seed Extract
RefreshingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingLaurtrimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingSodium Bisulfite
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Propanediol, Vp/Va Copolymer, Betaine, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Caprylic Acid, Xylitol, Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract, Piper Nigrum Seed Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Laurtrimonium Chloride, Sodium Bisulfite, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Alcohol
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 JuiceCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol 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 PropanediolThis is a botanical extract from the rosemary plant (the same one you cook with). In skincare, it mostly works as a skin conditioning agent.
Its activity comes from a handful of polyphenols, carnosic acid, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid. Almost 90% of the antioxidant activity of this ingredient can be attributed to canosol and carnosic acid.
These compounds protect your skin two ways:
1) They fight off free radicals, or the unstable molecules from things like sun and pollution that age and damage skin.
2) They help calm inflammation by switching off the chemical signals that tell skin to get red and irritated.
Lab studies also suggest that rosmarinic acid may help protect collagen and slow sugar-related damage to it.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review has concluded rosemary-derived ingredients to be safe when formulated to be non-sensitizing.
Rosemary can occasionally cause allergic contact dermatitis (due to carnosol), so be sure to patch test if you have reactive or fragrance-sensitive skin.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractSclerotium Gum is a natural sugar-based fiber made by fermenting a fungus called Sclerotium rolfsii. It's often used as the plant-friendly alternative for synthetic thickeners like carbomer.
In skincare, it works as a thickener, gel former, and stabilizer that keeps heavy ingredients suspended so a product does not separate.
It is non-ionic and forms a triple helix in solution. This is just a fancy way of saying it builds a smooth, cushiony, and non-sticky gel that feels silkier than many other gums.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it is very sturdy and holds up across a wide pH range (~2-11). It's also good at resisting heat and hydrolysis.
Since it holds water at the skin surface, it can provide some light hydration as well.
Typical use levels are around 0.25-2%; formulators usually use 0.2-0.5% to thicken lotions and up to 2% for a firmer gel base.
This ingredient has been found safe in cosmetics with no meaningful evidence of skin sensitization.
Learn more about Sclerotium GumSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateVP/VA Copolymer is a synthetic polymer made by joining two smaller molecules (vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl acetate) into a larger chain.
It is mainly used as a film-former and fixing agent. When a product dries, it creates a thin and flexible layer on the skin, hair, or nails. This film helps hold hairstyles into place, adds a smooth feel to skin, and traps moisture to reduce dryness.
Irritation is rare at normal concentrations and it doesn't penetrate deeply into skin.
Learn more about Vp/Va CopolymerWater. 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