What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Steareth-21
CleansingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Dimethicone, Steareth-21, Steareth-2, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Di-C12-13 Alkyl Malate
EmollientVinyldimethicone
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Tromethamine
BufferingParfum
Masking
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAnhydroxylitol
Humectant
Glycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantXylitol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose
Humectant
Mannitol
Humectant
Cellulose
Absorbent
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Glucose
Humectant
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantTocopheryl Succinate
Antioxidant
Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentLeontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Sargassum Muticum Extract
Skin ProtectingSoy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract
Antimicrobial
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Syringa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
Astringent
Durvillaea Antarctica Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Viola Odorata Flower Extract
MaskingSalvia Officinalis Extract
Antimicrobial
Saccharomyces Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Japonica Root Extract
Skin ProtectingAngelica Archangelica Root Extract
Masking
Galactose
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Lysate
AntimicrobialTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingWithania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningNicotinoyl Sh-Pentapeptide-19
Skin Conditioning
Water, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Panthenol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Niacinamide, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Sorbitan Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Di-C12-13 Alkyl Malate, Vinyldimethicone, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Arachidyl Alcohol, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Ozokerite, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Behenyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Stearic Acid, Xylitylglucoside, Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, Tromethamine, Parfum, Arachidyl Glucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Glycosyl Trehalose, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Xylitol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Sucrose, Mannitol, Cellulose, Zea Mays Starch, Polysorbate 20, Glucose, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, CI 77491, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Tocopheryl Succinate, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Linoleic Acid, Sargassum Muticum Extract, Soy Isoflavones, Glyceryl Oleate, Oryza Sativa Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, CI 77492, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Syringa Vulgaris Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Durvillaea Antarctica Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Viola Odorata Flower Extract, Salvia Officinalis Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate, Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract, Sophora Japonica Root Extract, Angelica Archangelica Root Extract, Galactose, Lactobacillus Lysate, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Biotin, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine Hcl, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cyanocobalamin, Beta-Carotene, Nicotinoyl Sh-Pentapeptide-19
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 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 GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerCetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient ester. It comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to skin without being greasy or oily. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
