What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Skin ConditioningBromelain
Skin Conditioning
Papain
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract
RefreshingCoriandrum Sativum Fruit/Leaf Extract
AntiseborrhoeicRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialStyrax Tonkinensis Resin Extract
Perfuming
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract
AntiseborrhoeicSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Sodium Chloride
MaskingBentonite
Absorbent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCocamidopropyl Betaine, Polysorbate 20, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Panthenol, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Bromelain, Papain, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract, Coriandrum Sativum Fruit/Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Styrax Tonkinensis Resin Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Chloride, Bentonite, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77499, CI 77007
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Diatomaceous Earth
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Glycolate
BufferingSodium Trideceth Sulfate
Cleansing
Squalane
Emollient
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Saponaria Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingFructose
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Dextrin
AbsorbentAlanine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Hexyl Nicotinate
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil
Emollient
Corylus Avellana Seed Oil
Emollient
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Diatomaceous Earth, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Glycolate, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Squalane, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract, Hexylene Glycol, Fructose, Glucose, Sucrose, Urea, Dextrin, Alanine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Hexyl Nicotinate, Persea Gratissima Oil, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Corylus Avellana Seed Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid
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 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 JuiceEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with tons of research backing its benefits.
It is found naturally in sugar cane but the form used in skincare is usually synthetic for purity and stability.
Glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells to allow newer and fresher ones to emerge.
AHAs work by breaking down the structural “glue” that holds old skin cells in place. When that buildup is gone, your skin can renew itself more efficiently.
Research also shows glycolic acid stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and thicken the skin over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over other AHAs.
Overall, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid boosts skin hydration by helping it produce molecules that increase hyaluronic acid naturally.
To work best, glycolic acid products should have a pH between 3-4 (that’s where exfoliation is most effective but still gentle on skin).
The pH and concentration of a product are key to its effectiveness:
It is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation when using glycolic acid. This usually fades as your skin adjusts.
Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size in the AHA family, it can penetrate deeper, which enhances its effectiveness but also makes it more likely to irritate sensitive skin.
If your skin is very sensitive or prone to rosacea, glycolic acid may be too strong; in that case, try milder options like lactic acid or a PHA instead.
Recent studies suggest glycolic acid might even help protect against UV damage. But don’t skip sunscreen! Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
Glycolic acid is a skincare superstar. It smooths, brightens, hydrates, and firms the skin. Unless you’re highly sensitive, it’s well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
