What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Coco-Sulfate
Cleansing
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Yucca Schidigera Stem Extract
Cleansing
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Hypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingSargassum Filipendula Extract
Skin ProtectingGelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Bromelain
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Coco-Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Yucca Schidigera Stem Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Sargassum Filipendula Extract, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Bromelain, Glucose, Sorbitol, Gluconolactone, Citric Acid, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate
Emollient
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCommiphora Myrrha Oil
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxystearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Lecithin
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate 59.5%
Preservative
Water, Coco-Caprylate, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Zinc Oxide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Oryza Sativa Starch, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Gluconate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Commiphora Myrrha Oil, Gluconolactone, Hydroxystearic Acid, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Xanthan Gum, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Calcium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate 59.5%
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 PowderThis ingredient is calcium salt of gluconic acid. It is a humectant, meaning it attracts water to your skin.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGluconolactone 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 GlycerinPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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
