CVS Health Aftersun Aloe Vera Lotion Versus Sun Bum After Sun Cool Down Lotion
Updated on October 01, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free after sun care. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin and sensitive skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
CVS Health Aftersun Aloe Vera Lotion 19 ingredients
Sun Bum After Sun Cool Down Lotion 15 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
CVS Health Aftersun Aloe Vera Lotion 19 ingredients
Sun Bum After Sun Cool Down Lotion 15 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
Triethanolamine
BufferingPEG-75 Lanolin
Emollient
Methylparaben
Preservative
Imidazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Propylparaben
Preservative
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Paraffinum Liquidum, Stearic Acid, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Sorbitol, Triethanolamine, PEG-75 Lanolin, Methylparaben, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Propylparaben, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrolyzed Collagen, CI 19140, CI 16035
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Triethanolamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholParfum 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 ParfumSorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.
As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.
It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.
Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.
Learn more about SorbitolStearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.
As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.
Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.
Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter comes from the Theobroma cacoa, or Cacao tree. Cacao trees are native to tropical landscapes.
Like other plant butters, Cacao seed butter is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. By creating a barrier to trap moisture in, emollients help keep your skin hydrated.
Cacao seed butter contains antioxidants known as polyphenols. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules by stabilizing them. Unstable free-radicals may cause damage to your skin cells. Antioxidants may help with anti-aging.
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter can be bad for acne prone skin.
Learn more about Theobroma Cacao Seed ButterTocopheryl 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 AcetateTriethanolamine is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
