What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingMaris Aqua
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydrolyzed Algin
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPistacia Lentiscus Gum
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sucrose
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Glycerin
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract
Sodium Anisate
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Water, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Maris Aqua, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Gluconate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Algin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sucrose, Maltodextrin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Glycerin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Levulinate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract, Sodium Anisate, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Linalool
Butane
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Isobutane
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientMagnesium Carbonate
AbsorbentAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Methacryloyl Ethyl Betaine/Acrylates Copolymer
Water
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Butane, Alcohol Denat., Isobutane, Diisopropyl Adipate, Magnesium Carbonate, Alcohol, Methacryloyl Ethyl Betaine/Acrylates Copolymer, Water, Parfum, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Panthenol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Benzoic Acid, Limonene, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal
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 JuiceGlycerin (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 GlycerinLinalool 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 LinaloolTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
