What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glycerin
Humectant
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Juice
EmollientCitrus Grandis Seed Extract
Astringent
Water, 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
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyquaternium-10
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyquaternium-10, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Carbomer, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid
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 AcidLauryl Glucoside sugar- and lipid-based cleansing agent. It is created from glucose and lauryl alcohol.
This ingredient is a surfactant, making it easier to rinse oil, dirt, and other pollutants away.
A British study found lauryl glucoside to cause skin sensitivity for some people. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Other names for this ingredient include "Lauryl Polyglucose", "Lauryl glycoside", and "D-Glucopyranoside".
Learn more about Lauryl GlucosidePhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSodium Cocoyl Glycinate is a cleansing agent. It can be naturally derived or synthetically-created.
As a surfactant, it helps clean your skin by gathering dirt, oil, and other pollutants to be rinsed away more easily.
