What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientSaccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMyristyl Myristate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingParfum
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Paradisi Seed Extract
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientLecithin
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningWater, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Cyclopentasiloxane, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Glyceryl Stearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Myristyl Myristate, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum, Carbomer, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Panthenol, Retinyl Palmitate, Allantoin, Citrus Paradisi Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Squalane, Lecithin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Ricinoleate
EmollientHexyl Laurate
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-24
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium PCA
HumectantArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientAnacyclus Pyrethrum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTetrahydrodiferuloylmethane
AntioxidantTocotrienols
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Oleate
CleansingCetyl Esters
EmollientPotassium Phosphate
BufferingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialLecithin
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingRetinyl Palmitate/Carrot Polypeptide
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingDiethanolamine
BufferingParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSucrose
HumectantSodium Ascorbate
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientMyristic Acid
CleansingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 40800
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Hexyl Laurate, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Polysorbate 20, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Oligopeptide-24, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Anacyclus Pyrethrum Root Extract, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Tocotrienols, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Oleate, Cetyl Esters, Potassium Phosphate, Alcohol Denat., Lecithin, Stearic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate/Carrot Polypeptide, Sorbitan Stearate, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Diethanolamine, Parfum, Linalool, Geraniol, Benzyl Salicylate, Eugenol, Amyl Cinnamal, Maltodextrin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sucrose, Sodium Ascorbate, Silica, Ascorbic Acid, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Myristic Acid, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Benzyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, CI 40800
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 comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.
Aloe is packed with good stuff including Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are antioxidants, which help fight free-radicals and the damage they may cause. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice also contains sugars. These sugars come in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, and choline. These sugars are able to help bind moisture to skin.
It also contains minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceBenzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
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 Benzyl AlcoholThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
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.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.
Sunflower seed oil contains many fatty acids. The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.
These fatty acids help the skin create ceramides. Ceramides play a role in repairing the skin barrier.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil helps moisturize the skin. This in turn helps the skin look more rejuvenated and smoother.
Sunflowers are rich in vitamin E.
Historians believe Indigenous cultures of North America domesticated sunflowers before corn. Thus they relied on sunflower oil for a variety of uses. One such use is moisturizing skin and hair.
Sunflower seed oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Some other names for this ingredient include soy lecithin and deoiled soy lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinParfum 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.
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.
As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.
Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.
Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water