What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialMaranta Arundinacea Root Powder
Skin ConditioningTapioca Starch
Isoamyl Laurate
EmollientHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhenylpropanol
MaskingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Water, Mandelic Acid, Maranta Arundinacea Root Powder, Tapioca Starch, Isoamyl Laurate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caffeine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Behenyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Panthenol, Stearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Glucoside, Pentylene Glycol, Phenylpropanol, Potassium Hydroxide, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Propanediol
SolventWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDiatomaceous Earth
AbrasiveMaranta Arundinacea Root Powder
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingStellaria Media Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
EmollientCellulose
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTriethyl Citrate
MaskingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveHydrated Silica
AbrasiveTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPropanediol, Water, Glycerin, Diatomaceous Earth, Maranta Arundinacea Root Powder, Saccharomyces Ferment, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Yeast Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Caffeine, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Stellaria Media Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Jojoba Esters, Cellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethyl Citrate, Stearyl Alcohol, Silica, Hydrated Silica, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Hydroxide
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 JuiceCaffeine is a naturally occurring plant compound found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa pods, and guarana.
As an antioxidant, caffeine protects your skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and envionrmnetal stressors.
Early research also shows that caffeine can help calm redness, soothe irritated skin, and support hair growth by stimulating microcirculation in the scalp.
You might have seen eye creams marketing caffeine as a depuffing ingredient. This is because it is a vasoconstrictor meaning it can temporarily constrict blood vessels, though clinical evidence for this specific use is still limited.
Most skincare products contain this ingredient at concentrations between 1-6%. It is able to penetrate skin easily regardless of skin type or thickness.
Just so you know, a very small number of case reports describe caffeine-induced allergy. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing for the majority of people.
Learn more about CaffeineWe don't have a description for Maranta Arundinacea Root Powder yet.
Stearyl 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