What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Diheptyl Succinate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Shea Butter Ethyl Esters
Emollient
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialFicus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Agastache Mexicana Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate
CleansingPropanediol
Solvent
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Octyldodecyl Xyloside
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlyceryl Undecylenate
Emollient
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Disodium Sebacoyl Bis-Lauramidolysine
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Glycerin, Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, Stearic Acid, Diheptyl Succinate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Agastache Mexicana Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Coco-Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Octyldodecanol, Propylene Glycol, Octyldodecyl Xyloside, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Phospholipids, Xanthan Gum, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Calcium Gluconate, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium Sebacoyl Bis-Lauramidolysine, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Triundecanoin
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingPolyacrylamide
Disodium EDTA
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Methylparaben
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Water, Isododecane, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, PEG-100 Stearate, Triundecanoin, Cetyl Alcohol, Octyldodecanol, Stearyl Alcohol, Gluconolactone, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Propylene Glycol, Laureth-7, Polyacrylamide, Disodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Methylparaben, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate
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 JuiceButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolThis is a botanical extract from the rosemary plant (the same one you cook with). In skincare, it mostly works as a skin conditioning agent.
Its activity comes from a handful of polyphenols, carnosic acid, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid. Almost 90% of the antioxidant activity of this ingredient can be attributed to canosol and carnosic acid.
These compounds protect your skin two ways:
1) They fight off free radicals, or the unstable molecules from things like sun and pollution that age and damage skin.
2) They help calm inflammation by switching off the chemical signals that tell skin to get red and irritated.
Lab studies also suggest that rosmarinic acid may help protect collagen and slow sugar-related damage to it.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review has concluded rosemary-derived ingredients to be safe when formulated to be non-sensitizing.
Rosemary can occasionally cause allergic contact dermatitis (due to carnosol), so be sure to patch test if you have reactive or fragrance-sensitive skin.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractWater. 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
