What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
AstringentCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingMangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin ConditioningCymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCetrimonium Bromide
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cetrimonium Bromide, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeBehentrimonium Methosulfate
SurfactantGlycerin
HumectantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingEchinacea Purpurea Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract
EmollientLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningWheat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantAmodimethicone
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningLinoleamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate
Dimethyl Lauramine Isostearate
EmollientCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialPolyquaternium-37
Polyquaternium-7
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Glycerin, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Wheat Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Amodimethicone, Panthenol, Linoleamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Dimethyl Lauramine Isostearate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-37, Polyquaternium-7, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Trideceth-6, Trideceth-12, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
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 JuiceChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.
Chamomile is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Several compounds found in chamomile help with soothing, such as bisbolol.
Antioxidant components in chamomile make it an effective ingredient to help slow the signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or molecules that may damage your skin.
Essential oils from chamomile have been found to improve wound healing due to its antimicrobial properties.
Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used Chamomile to treat skin redness and dryness. Chamomile has also been used to help treat stomach issues.
Learn more about Chamomilla Recutita Flower ExtractParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWater. 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