What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSuccinic Acid
BufferingPropanediol
SolventSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingAlthaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNymphaea Caerulea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Gluconolactone, Betaine, Polysorbate 20, Succinic Acid, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Nymphaea Caerulea Flower Extract, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Skin ConditioningYogurt
Skin ProtectingZinc PCA
HumectantBisabolol
AntioxidantEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningCocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Silk Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningSilver
Cosmetic ColorantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningErgothioneine
AntioxidantGlutathione
Glycerin
HumectantPopulus Tremuloides Bark Extract
AntiseborrhoeicLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningChrysin
Skin ConditioningN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningGlutamylamidoethyl Imidazole
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbic Acid
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSteareth-20
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Polysorbate 20, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Gluconolactone, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Yogurt, Zinc PCA, Bisabolol, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Silk Amino Acids, Silver, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Callus Culture Extract, Ergothioneine, Glutathione, Glycerin, Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Chrysin, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Glutamylamidoethyl Imidazole, Xanthan Gum, Calcium Gluconate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Gluconate, Steareth-20, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol
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 Powder comes from the aloe plant.
You may know Aloe to be a good sunburn reliever and inflammation reducer. This is because it contains many components that are known to help reduce irritation and itchiness.
Aloe leaves are also great moisturizers. They are naturally rich in polysaccharides, a carbohydrate made of sugars. Polysaccharides are able to mimic the carbs found in the top layer of your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
Aloe contains the antioxidants Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins neutralize free radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Aloe does not protect against UV rays, despite it soothing sunburns.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice PowderEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum