What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Apium Graveolens Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Chloride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Apium Graveolens Seed Extract, Persea Gratissima Oil, Glycerin, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citric Acid, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyquaternium-10
Sodium Chloride
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Oenocarpus Bataua Fruit Oil
Emollient
Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Polyisobutene
Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentPropanediol
Solvent
Yucca Schidigera Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
CleansingIsostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxypropylsulfonate Laurylglucoside Crosspolymer
CleansingCetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Quartz
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Citrate
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantSodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantArginine
Masking
Glucose
Humectant
Glycine Soja Germ Extract
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantWater, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Lauric Acid, Caffeine, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Oenocarpus Bataua Fruit Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Squalane, Polyisobutene, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Propanediol, Yucca Schidigera Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Isostearyl Isostearate, Propylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Stearyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxypropylsulfonate Laurylglucoside Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Quartz, Tocopherol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Caprylyl Glycol, Stearic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Lactic Acid, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Arginine, Glucose, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Citric Acid, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Extract, Gluconolactone, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Sorbic Acid, Calcium Gluconate
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 JuiceCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric 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 AcidCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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
