What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningBrassica Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Brassicyl Isoleucinate Esylate
Emulsion StabilisingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Isododecane
EmollientCetyl Esters
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Water, Brassica Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Brassicyl Isoleucinate Esylate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Phenoxyethanol, Isododecane, Cetyl Esters, Behentrimonium Chloride, Isopropyl Myristate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Water
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingPassiflora Incarnata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone
EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Chloride
MaskingMethylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Passiflora Incarnata Flower Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glutamic Acid, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol, Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone, EDTA, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, CI 19140, CI 17200
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 JuiceCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCitric 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 AcidStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholWater. 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
