What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Salicylic Acid
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialIsohexadecane
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-100 Stearate
Ceteth-10 Phosphate
CleansingDicetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGlyceryl Glucoside
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingArginine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantGlucose
HumectantGlutamic Acid
HumectantGlycine
BufferingHistidine
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningLysine
Skin ConditioningMethionine
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
MaskingPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantThreonine
Tyrosine
MaskingValine
MaskingWater, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Isopropyl Myristate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Hydroxide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Salicylic Acid, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Isohexadecane, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-100 Stearate, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Alanine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Cysteine, Glucose, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Histidine, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Potassium Hyaluronate, Proline, Serine, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Threonine, Tyrosine, Valine
Water
Skin ConditioningUrea
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantC15-19 Alkane
SolventHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantAvena Sativa Kernel Flour
AbrasiveCetearyl Olivate
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingParfum
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-25
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantBehenic Acid
CleansingCaprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCaprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Eos
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientLecithin
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Urea, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, C15-19 Alkane, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Saccharide Isomerate, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Cetearyl Olivate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Ceteareth-25, Cetyl Alcohol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Behenic Acid, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Eos, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Cholesterol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate, Lecithin, Tocopherol
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 Powder comes from the aloe plant.
You may know Aloe to be a good sunburn reliever and inflammation reducer. This is because it contains many components that are known to help reduce irritation and itchiness.
Aloe leaves are also great moisturizers. They are naturally rich in polysaccharides, a carbohydrate made of sugars. Polysaccharides are able to mimic the carbs found in the top layer of your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
Aloe contains the antioxidants Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins neutralize free radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Aloe does not protect against UV rays, despite it soothing sunburns.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice PowderArginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineButylene 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 GlycolChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum