What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningSulfated Olive Oil
CleansingRetinol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantArnica Montana Extract
Skin ConditioningTaraxacum Officinale Extract
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Extract
AntioxidantCamellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentSulfur
AntiseborrhoeicSalicylic Acid
MaskingEchinacea Angustifolia Leaf Extract
MoisturisingRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantLecithin
EmollientMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantSilybum Marianum Extract
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sulfated Olive Oil, Retinol, Niacinamide, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopherol, Arnica Montana Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Sulfur, Salicylic Acid, Echinacea Angustifolia Leaf Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Lecithin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Silybum Marianum Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantLecithin
EmollientPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Sulfone
SolventButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingTerminalia Ferdinandiana Seed Oil
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantRetinol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientRaphanus Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingChamomilla Recutita Flower Water
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPotassium Phosphate
BufferingIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingViola Odorata Flower Extract
MaskingLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningRosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantTaraxacum Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCassia Tora Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Seed Oil
EmollientAleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Seed Oil
EmollientEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Lactate
BufferingStearic Acid
CleansingArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingBoswellia Serrata Extract
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Graveolens Extract
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Glycerin, Lecithin, Pantothenic Acid, Dimethyl Sulfone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinol, Cetyl Alcohol, Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Potassium Phosphate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Medicago Sativa Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Viola Odorata Flower Extract, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil, Carbomer, Hyaluronic Acid, Taraxacum Officinale Root Extract, Cassia Tora Seed Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Seed Oil, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Lactate, Stearic Acid, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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 comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.
Aloe is packed with good stuff including Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are antioxidants, which help fight free-radicals and the damage they may cause. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice also contains sugars. These sugars come in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, and choline. These sugars are able to help bind moisture to skin.
It also contains minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil comes from the seeds of the safflower plant. It is a skin conditioning agent that helps soften skin and keep it hydrated.
This seed oil has an unusual fatty acid profile: it is one of the highest linoleic acid plant oils out there (~55-77%). It also has low amounts of oleic acid, and this high-linoleic/low-oleic ratio gets people excited.
Linoleic acid helps maintain skin barrier integrity and is a building block for the ceramides in your stratum corneum. Notably, people with acne tend to have lower linoleic acid in their skin lipids as well (and this gets worse as acne gets more severe).
Overall, it's a lightweight, fast-absorbing oil that has a long safety track record. Lab testing has found it to be non-irritating for skin or eyes.
The Malassezia yeast can metabolize the fatty acids in this oil to grow; therefore this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Carthamus Tinctorius Seed OilCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract comes from the leaves of the Ginkgo tree. It has soothing and antioxidant properties.
The leaves of ginkgo contains flavonoids and terpenoids, potent antioxidants. Antioxidants may protect your skin from damage caused by external sources such as pollution.
Its soothing ability comes from a variety of compounds including biflavones, a type of flavonoid. Studies show gingko biloba has strong anti-inflammatory properties.
Fun fact: This tree is native to China and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years.
Learn more about Ginkgo Biloba Leaf ExtractHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.
Why is retinol famous?
It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.
Retinol is proven to:
This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.
Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.
Read about Tretinoin
Learn more about RetinolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about Tocopherol