What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientLactobacillus/Collagen/Mesembryanthemum Crystallinum Leaf Extract Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientOryza Sativa Germ Extract
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientSqualane
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTromethamine
BufferingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingCyclohexane
SolventAcrylic Acid
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Lactobacillus/Collagen/Mesembryanthemum Crystallinum Leaf Extract Ferment Lysate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Oryza Sativa Germ Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Squalane, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT, Polyglutamic Acid, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceramide NP, Phenoxyethanol, Tromethamine, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide EOP, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Cyclohexane, Acrylic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether
StabilisingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingSilica
AbrasivePanthenol
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAminobutyric Acid
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolysilicone-11
Raffinose
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Tromethamine
BufferingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Tocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Laurate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningColloidal Gold
AntimicrobialAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
CleansingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningOleic Acid
EmollientTotarol
AntioxidantPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingLinolenic Acid
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Silica, Panthenol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Pentylene Glycol, Aminobutyric Acid, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysilicone-11, Raffinose, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Carbomer, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Potassium Laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Colloidal Gold, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Polysorbate 20, Biotin, Cyanocobalamin, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Linoleic Acid, Hexylene Glycol, Decylene Glycol, Oleic Acid, Totarol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract is an extract of the leaves of the aloe, Aloe barbadensis, Liliaceae.
Aloe is one of the most well-known natural soothing ingredients, and for good reason. It’s full of water and has a cooling, calming effect on the skin, especially when it’s sunburned, itchy, or irritated. Aloe also helps your skin stay hydrated and smooth by mimicking what healthy skin naturally produces. On top of that, it contains vitamins and nutrients that support skin recovery.Â
It doesn’t protect you from the sun, but it can help your skin bounce back after too much time in it.
Let’s get into the details:
Aloe contains antioxidant Vitamins A, C, and E, which help fight off free radicals (unstable molecules from things like pollution that can damage your skin).
It’s also rich in polysaccharides, which are natural sugars that help hydrate the skin by acting like the skin’s own moisturizing agents. These, along with other sugars like monosaccharides, help form a protective barrier that locks in moisture.
Aloe works as both a humectant and an emollient. That means it draws water into the skin (humectant) and helps trap it there (emollient), making it an effective natural moisturizer.
You’ll also find a mix of other skin-supporting ingredients in aloe, including folic acid, choline, calcium, amino acids, fatty acids, and even Vitamin B12.
Out of the 420+ species of aloe, Aloe barbadensis is the most widely used in skincare products thanks to its gentle yet effective properties.
There are over 420 species of aloe but Aloe Barbadensis is the most commonly used for topical products.
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 high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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