What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Polyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Linseed Acid
CleansingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Alcohol Denat., Propylene Glycol, Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Benzyl Alcohol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Polysorbate 20, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dehydroacetic Acid, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Laureth-7, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Panthenol, Sorbitol, Linseed Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol
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 Juice is the filtered, stabilized liquid pressed from the inner gel of the aloe vera leaf.
In cosmetics, it shows up as either soothing active or a water-replacement base. It is roughly 98-99% water and the last 1-2% is an interesting mix of polysaccharides, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.
The polysaccharides do most of the work: they bind water at the skin surface for a light, non-greasy hydration boost. And one of the polysaccharides, glycomannan, is linked to fibroblast stimulation + collagen synthesis. This is also why aloe has such a long track record in wound and burn healing.
This ingredient is also calming with anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity, making it a great pick for sensitive, irritated, or post-sun skin.
Realistic expectations matter though; the solid evidence is mostly limited to hydration, soothing, and wound support. Deeper claims about anti-aging or sun protection are not well backed, and science reviews note it does not prevent radiation-induced skin injury.
Because it plays well with almost everything, it's commonly used as a base alongside other actives like niacinamide or vitamin C.
Typical usage concentrations range from 0.5% (where hydration benefits already show up) all the way to 90%+ (where it replaces water as the main base).
The safety for this ingredient is well-establish as well. Overall, this is a great supporting ingredient for those who want a boost in hydration.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuicePEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilWater. 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
