What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantCocoglycerides
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycol Distearate
EmollientColloidal Oatmeal
AbsorbentLaureth-23
CleansingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPetrolatum
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Seed Oil
EmollientLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Cocoglycerides, Glycerin, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycol Distearate, Colloidal Oatmeal, Laureth-23, CI 77891, Petrolatum, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Potassium Sorbate, Carbomer, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingSunflower Seed Oil Glyceride
EmollientIsopentane
SolventSorbitol
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingIsobutane
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPEG-90m
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic Colorant
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 JuiceHydrogenated Vegetable Oil is created by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil in order to give it more stability. This process also raises the melting point of vegetable oil. In cosmetics, it is an emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
The term "Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil" is an umbrella term and can refer to a variety of vegetable oils and blends of: sunflower oil, soybean oil, olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, and more.
Due to the differences in vegetables, the benefits may vary.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Vegetable OilTocopheryl 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