What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Algae Extract
EmollientPPG-2-Isodeceth-12
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingMethyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
DMDM Hydantoin
Preservative
Tetrasodium EDTA
Quaternium-15
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Propylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Algae Extract, PPG-2-Isodeceth-12, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethanolamine, Methyl Gluceth-20, DMDM Hydantoin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Quaternium-15, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Geraniol, Limonene, CI 19140, CI 42090
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
