What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Polyglycerin-6
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glyceryl Ether
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Glycerin, Polyglycerin-6, Pentylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Azelaic Acid, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glyceryl Ether, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Betaine, Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid
Water
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicCamellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentCitric Acid
Buffering
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingLactobacillus/Papaya Fruit Ferment Extract
Abrasive
Lecithin
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Basilicum Extract
Antioxidant
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Pullulan
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Kojic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Biotin, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Lactobacillus/Papaya Fruit Ferment Extract, Lecithin, Maltodextrin, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Pullulan, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Salicylic Acid, Sclerotium Gum, Silica, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum
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 GlycerinSodium 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 BenzoateSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateWater. 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
