What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Pvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Arachidyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCyclomethicone
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Arginine
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Lilium Tigrinum Extract
Skin ConditioningCucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Thymus Vulgaris Extract
Perfuming
Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentMalpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Snail Secretion Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Leontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningMalva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBuddleja Davidii Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Vera Callus Extract
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Callus Culture Extract
Perfuming
Chrysanthemum Indicum Callus Culture Extract
Antioxidant
Bambusa Vulgaris Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Water, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Jojoba Esters, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Cyclomethicone, Polysorbate 60, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sorbitan Stearate, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Arginine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Lilium Tigrinum Extract, Cucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, Buddleja Davidii Extract, Aloe Vera Callus Extract, Camellia Sinensis Callus Culture Extract, Chrysanthemum Indicum Callus Culture Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Callus Culture Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventIsostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Inositol
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPEG-100 Stearate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantLimonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Isostearyl Isostearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Pueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Soluble Collagen, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cellulose Gum, Squalane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Alcohol, Inositol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Xanthan Gum, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Ceramide NP, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, PEG-100 Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 42090, Limonene, Linalool
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 an extract of the leaves of the aloe, Aloe barbadensis, Liliaceae.
Aloe is one of the most well-known natural soothing ingredients, and for good reason. It’s full of water and has a cooling, calming effect on the skin, especially when it’s sunburned, itchy, or irritated. Aloe also helps your skin stay hydrated and smooth by mimicking what healthy skin naturally produces. On top of that, it contains vitamins and nutrients that support skin recovery.
It doesn’t protect you from the sun, but it can help your skin bounce back after too much time in it.
Let’s get into the details:
Aloe contains antioxidant Vitamins A, C, and E, which help fight off free radicals (unstable molecules from things like pollution that can damage your skin).
It’s also rich in polysaccharides, which are natural sugars that help hydrate the skin by acting like the skin’s own moisturizing agents. These, along with other sugars like monosaccharides, help form a protective barrier that locks in moisture.
Aloe works as both a humectant and an emollient. That means it draws water into the skin (humectant) and helps trap it there (emollient), making it an effective natural moisturizer.
You’ll also find a mix of other skin-supporting ingredients in aloe, including folic acid, choline, calcium, amino acids, fatty acids, and even Vitamin B12.
Out of the 420+ species of aloe, Aloe barbadensis is the most widely used in skincare products thanks to its gentle yet effective properties.
There are over 420 species of aloe but Aloe Barbadensis is the most commonly used for topical products.
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 GlycolCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Parfum 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 ParfumPeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60This extract comes from Purslane, a succulent. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hydrating properties.
Purslane is very nutritious. It contains omega-3 fatty acids, NMFs, many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The vitamins found in purslane include: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E.
Fun fact: Purslane is a succulent with an extensive habitat. It is used in traditional Korean medicine to treat irritated skin.
Nowadays, purslane is becoming a superfood due to its highly nutritious content.
Learn more about Portulaca Oleracea ExtractSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSorbitan Stearate comes from sorbitol and stearic acid. Sorbitol is a type of sugar and stearic acid is a fatty acid.
It is used as an emulsifier and helps ingredients stay together by creating water-in-oil emulsions.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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. 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
