What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Urea
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Squalane
Emollient
Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Mel
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Betaine
Humectant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Water, Dimethicone, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Urea, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycine Soja Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Squalane, Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Cyclohexasiloxane, Mel, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Benzophenone-4, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Betaine, Polysorbate 60, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Beta-Glucan, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitrus Aurantium Amara Peel Powder
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLecithin
Emollient
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Garcinia Mangostana Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Aronia Arbutifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAristotelia Chilensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLepidium Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Spinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPetroselinum Crispum Leaf Extract
Perfuming
CI 75810
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Kaolin, Glycerin, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 60, Phenoxyethanol, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Powder, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Potassium Sorbate, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lecithin, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Garcinia Mangostana Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Aronia Arbutifolia Fruit Extract, Aristotelia Chilensis Fruit Extract, Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract, Propanediol, Chlorphenesin, Sorbic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Spinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract, Petroselinum Crispum Leaf Extract, CI 75810
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 JuiceEthylhexylglycerin 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 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 PhenoxyethanolPolysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Water. 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
