What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Glucoside
CleansingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingGlycol Distearate
EmollientMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Juice
EmollientCitrus Grandis Seed Extract
AstringentWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Coco-Glucoside, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Glycol Distearate, Mentha Piperita Oil, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Cucumis Sativus Juice, Citrus Grandis Seed Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingLauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingParfum
MaskingCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingMenthol
MaskingMentha Piperita Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil
Skin ConditioningMentha Arvensis Leaf/Stem Oil
MaskingHistidine
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Salicylate
PreservativePolyquaternium-10
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Parfum, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Menthol, Mentha Piperita Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil, Mentha Arvensis Leaf/Stem Oil, Histidine, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Salicylate, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA
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 JuiceCitric 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 BetaineSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier. It is a surfactant derived from sarcosine, and a common source is coconut oil.
As a surfactant, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate helps lift dirts, oil, and other molecules to be washed away. In leave-on products, this ingredient is used as an emulsifier. Emulsifier help prevent ingredients such as oils and waters from separating.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is also commonly found as a foaming agent in shampoo, toothpaste, and shaving foam. It is amphiphilic, meaning it loves both water and fats.
Learn more about Sodium Lauroyl SarcosinateWater. 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