What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Princeps Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Zea Mays Kernel Extract
Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Acetate
Skin ConditioningEthanolamine
BufferingCitral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Artemisia Princeps Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Zea Mays Kernel Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Acetate, Ethanolamine, Citral, Limonene, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingC12-14 Pareth-12
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Glycerin
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Mentha Viridis Extract
MaskingMelilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Carbomer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tromethamine, C12-14 Pareth-12, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Parfum, Linalool, Limonene, Glycerin, Disodium EDTA, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyglutamic Acid, Mentha Viridis Extract, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
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.
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 preservatives
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 JuiceButylene 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 synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolWater. 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
