What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningLauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cera Alba
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Maris Sal
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentMalva Sylvestris Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningFucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Cera
EmollientCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Pinus Sylvestris Oil
Masking
Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Oil
Masking
Mentha Arvensis Herb Oil
Perfuming
Mentha Spicata Herb Oil
Perfuming
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Myristyl Myristate, Glycerin, Cera Alba, Cetearyl Alcohol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Maris Sal, Persea Gratissima Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Malva Sylvestris Leaf Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Cera, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Pinus Sylvestris Oil, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Oil, Mentha Arvensis Herb Oil, Mentha Spicata Herb Oil, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citral, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Water
MaskingBetaine
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Methylpropanediol
SolventHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Foeniculum Vulgare Fruit Extract
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Algae Extract
EmollientEclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningCordyceps Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Sparassis Crispa Extract
Emulsion StabilisingUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDiphenyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingTromethamine
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Pyrus Malus Fruit Water, Betaine, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methylpropanediol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Foeniculum Vulgare Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Algae Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Sparassis Crispa Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Carbomer, Dipropylene Glycol, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Tromethamine, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Tocopheryl Acetate, Beta-Glucan, Dimethicone, Squalane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Fructooligosaccharides, Lecithin, Cellulose Gum, Ceramide NP, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Polysorbate 20, Parfum, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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 comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.
Aloe is packed with good stuff including Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are antioxidants, which help fight free-radicals and the damage they may cause. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice also contains sugars. These sugars come in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, and choline. These sugars are able to help bind moisture to skin.
It also contains minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceThis ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
