What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSteareth-20
CleansingCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Water
MaskingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingIsostearyl Hydroxystearate
EmollientStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-37
Polyquaternium-10
PPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Steareth-20, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Cocos Nucifera Water, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Isostearyl Hydroxystearate, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Isopropyl Myristate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Panthenol, Polyquaternium-37, Polyquaternium-10, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningCitrus Reticulata Peel Oil
MaskingAngelica Archangelica Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzoic Acid
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Behentrimonium Chloride, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Citrus Reticulata Peel Oil, Angelica Archangelica Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Isopropyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene
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 JuiceThis ingredient is a preservative and often used for it's anti-static properties. You'll most likely see this ingredient in hair conditioners.
It does not cause irritation or sensitization in leave-on products at 1-5%.
Cetyl 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 AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsopropyl Alcohol is more commonly known as rubbing alcohol. It is most commonly used as a solvent, meaning it helps other ingredients dissolve.
This ingredient is an astringent alcohol. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin as they high amounts may strip away your skin's natural oils.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Isopropyl AlcoholThough this ingredient might sound like a juicy fruit extract, it's actually the fat pressed from the mango seed kernel (or the pit).
In skincare, it behaves more like shea butter and cocoa butter than like a plant active.
The fatty acid makeup of mango seed butter makes it special; it's typically rich in stearic acid and oleic acid, with small amounts of palmitic and linoleic acid.
This combo helps it melt on skin, feel creamy, and leave behind a protective "seal" that slows down water loss.
It also contains a small amount of "extras" like tocopherols (vitamin E) and phytosterols, which are often used to support skin soothing.
Due to its fatty acid content (like oleic acid), this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. In vitro studies have shown that Oleic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
Learn more about Mangifera Indica Seed ButterParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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