What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Stearate
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingXylitol
Humectant
Disteareth-100 Ipdi
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Malachite Extract
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Cymbopogon Citratus Extract
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Mentha Arvensis Extract
MaskingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Erythritol
Humectant
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Punica Granatum Extract
AstringentCucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Zinc PCA
Humectant
BHT
Antioxidant
Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Bioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Apium Graveolens Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Sodium Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Chloride, Xylitol, Disteareth-100 Ipdi, Bisabolol, Parfum, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Malachite Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cymbopogon Citratus Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Mentha Arvensis Extract, Panthenol, Arginine, Erythritol, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Cucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Glycerin, Zinc PCA, BHT, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Caffeine, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Ceramide NP, Bioflavonoids, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Apium Graveolens Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin 18%
Abrasive
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Stearate
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Phaseolus Angularis Seed Powder
Cetearyl Olivate
Propanediol
Solvent
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCentella Asiatica Extract 0.05%
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
ChelatingBentonite
Absorbent
Illite
Abrasive
Mineral Salts
Skin ConditioningMontmorillonite
AbsorbentCalamine
AbsorbentWater, Kaolin 18%, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, CI 77891, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Phaseolus Angularis Seed Powder, Cetearyl Olivate, Propanediol, Sorbitan Olivate, Dimethicone, CI 77491, Centella Asiatica Extract 0.05%, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Bentonite, Illite, Mineral Salts, Montmorillonite, Calamine
Reviews
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 a botanical extract pulled from the leaves of aloe vera and one of the most studied plant ingredients in cosmetics.
The inner leaf gel it comes from is mostly water (~99-99.5%) and the remaining fraction is made up of pretty good stuff: polysaccharides, vitamins, phenolics, and enzymes.
Its headline job is hydration.
The star polysaccharide in aloe, acemannan, is a humectant that retains moisture and helps reduce trans-epidermal water loss.
Aloe also has real soothing credentials; it contains anti-inflammatory compounds like bradykinase and C-glucosyl chromone that help calm irritation and redness.
On the repair side, lab work shows that acemannan wakes up your skin's repair cells (fibroblasts), prompting them to multiply and speed up healing.
There's some human data for cosmetic benefit too: a cream containing 10% Aloe Barbadensis leaf extract improved skin hydration and elasticity in a real-use study.
Safety-wise, this ingredient is well-regarded with just one rare downside; there have been some case reports of acute eczema, contact urticaria, and dermatitis in people who applied aloe-derived ingredients topically. Those with a known aloe or Liliaceae sensitivity should patch test.
Typical use levels range widely, from under 1% up to 90%+ depending on the format and the effect you are after.
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 GlycolCetearyl Olivate is a plant-derived emulsifier and texture enhancer. It helps keep the oil and water phases from separating so your formulas stay stable.
You'll likely see it combined with Sorbitan Olivate (together sold as the trade name Olivem 1000). This combination generates a liquid crystal structure that closely resemble the lipid organization of the stratum corneum.
These "skin-like" liquid crystals improve skin barrier integrity and promote the delivery of actives into the skin.
This ingredient is well-tolerated and has no significant sensitization data.
Because it is derived from the fatty acids in olive oil, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium Stearate is soap and usually the main thing holding a bar of soap together. In cosmetics, it does three jobs: it cleanses, thickens, and turns liquids into solid sticks.
Use levels vary hugely by product type; supplier guidance puts the typical range at 0.5-20%, with bar soaps at 5-20%, deodorant sticks at 4-8%, and under 1% when it's acting as a co-emulfisifier. Industry data has reported levels as high as 84% in some leave-on fragrance products.
Safety-wise, it's about as well-established as an ingredient gets. The FDA and European food-safety regulators treat this ingredient as safe in food.
Allergy risk is genuinely low too; stearates aren't on standard patch test series and published sensitization reports are scarce. The more realistic concern is irritation since high-percentage soaps can leave the skin tight and dry.
Learn more about Sodium StearateSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateWater. 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
