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.

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 Extract

Angelica Archangelica Extract

Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Angelica Archangelica Extract yet.

Callitris Intratropica Wood Oil

Masking

Callitris Intratropica Wood Oil is an oil.

Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel

Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel yet.

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil

Perfuming

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil is oil obtained from the peel of the bergamot orange. It is used to add a "fresh" and "fruity" scent to cosmetics.

The main aromatic compounds in this ingredient are limonene (~37%), linalyl acetate (~30%), and linalool (~8%). All of these compounds are EU fragrance allergens that can irritate sensitive skin.

Phototoxicity is a bigger issue here; cold-pressed bergamot peel oil naturally contains furanocoumarins that absorb UV-A and trigger a phototoxic reaction on skin. This can lead to redness, blistering, and/or hyperpigmentation on sun-exposed skin.

Due to this, this ingredient is capped at 0.4% in leave-on products applied to skin areas exposed to sunlight. Rinse-off products aren't restricted.

A furanocoumarin-free version made by distillation is widely used in modern cosmetics and avoids the photoxicity issue (but the fragrance-allergen content still remains).

Be sure to reach out to the brand if you have questions about their source of this ingredient.

Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil

Citrus Nobilis

We don't have a description for Citrus Nobilis yet.

Eucalyptus Maculata Extract

Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Eucalyptus Maculata Extract yet.

Fucus Vesiculosus

Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Fucus Vesiculosus yet.

Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract

Antioxidant

This extract comes from a tiny freshwater green microalga that can be found all over the world. It's special because it can produce massive amounts of Astaxanthin, a bright reddish-orange carotenoid pigment that is considered one of nature's most powerful antioxidants.

The algae starts pumping out Astaxanthin as a defense mechanism whenever it gets stressed out by things like intense sunlight or lack of nutrients.

This extract comes as a red-tinted, oily liquid and is packed with carotenoids, proteins, lipids, and minerals.

Astaxanthin is an antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause oxidative damage to your skin. It is also lipophilic, meaning it loves fats. This lets it concentrate in the outer layers of your skin where UV damage tends to hit first.

Research suggests it outperforms other well-known antioxidants like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Beta-Carotene in terms of scavenging ability. It can also help inhibit matrix metalloproteinases (the enzymes that break down collagen) and can stimulate growth factor secretion to support collagen production in dermal fibroblasts.

Clinical studies have shown that combining oral supplementation (6 mg/day) with topical application of astaxanthin from H. pluvialis led to improvements in wrinkles, age spots, elasticity, skin texture, and moisture content.

This ingredient is generally considered safe and well-tolerated in both topical and oral applications. In cosmetics, you'll see typical concentrations range from 0.1-2%. Allergic reactions are rare and be sure to patch test if you are unsure.

It's worth noting that about 95% of Astaxanthin on the market is made synthetically from petrochemicals.

Learn more about Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract

Hyssopus Officinalis Herb Oil

Perfuming

Hyssopus Officinalis Herb Oil is a fragrance and is an oil.

Illicium Verum Leaf Oil

Masking, Skin Conditioning

Illicium Verum Leaf Oil is an oil.

Mentha Piperita Callus Lysate

Antioxidant

Mentha Piperita Callus Lysate is an antioxidant.

Pelargonium Graveolens Cera