What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Coco-Sulfate
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingSea Salt
AbrasiveAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientArginine
MaskingPhytic Acid
Hydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialBetula Alba Leaf Extract
AstringentLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialLevulinic Acid
PerfumingSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
EmollientLecithin
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantPCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate
MoisturisingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingBetaine
HumectantPCA Glyceryl Oleate
EmollientWater, Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Lauryl Glucoside, Coco-Glucoside, Sea Salt, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Oleate, Arginine, Phytic Acid, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Glycerin, Alcohol, Betula Alba Leaf Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Lecithin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, PCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Betaine, PCA Glyceryl Oleate
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-3 Cocoate
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingGlycol Distearate
EmollientSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
EmulsifyingSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeArginine
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingAspartic Acid
MaskingAmaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPCA
HumectantPhytic Acid
Glycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingPantolactone
HumectantPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingHistidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingParfum
MaskingWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Chloride, Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate, Panthenol, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Saccharide Isomerate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Levulinate, Glycerin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Potassium Sorbate, Arginine, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Aspartic Acid, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, PCA, Phytic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Pantolactone, Phenethyl Alcohol, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, Sodium Citrate, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Parfum
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 JuiceArginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineCitric 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 AcidGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumPhytic Acid is a gentle AHA and antioxidant. AHAs are chemical exfoliants that help remove dead skin cells. Phytic Acid has a slight and mild exfoliating effect.
The chemical makeup makes it classified as an AHA, much like lactic acid.
In some cases, it is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water, helping to stabilize the ingredients in a product.
An interesting fact about phytic acid is that it is considered an antinutrient. People do not have the enzyme needed to properly breakdown and digest phytic acid. When ingested, phytic acid binds to minerals and prevents them from being absorbed.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Phytic AcidPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium levulinate is the a sodium salt of Levulinic Acid. Oncedissolved in an aqueous solution, the two ingredients become identical. It is usually derived from renewable plant sources like corn starch or sugarcane.
In skincare, it mostly acts as a skin conditioning agent that keeps skin soft and hydrated. It also acts as a preservative booster by inhibiting the growth of mold, yeast, and bacteria.
It's often paired with Sodium Anisate as the two create a broad-spectrum preservative system that is popular in "natural" formulations.
This ingredient is water-soluble.
The CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety has concluded this ingredient to be non-irritated and there are no restrictions for use in EU cosmetics. The FDA also allows this ingredient to be used as a food-grade flavoring agent.
Learn more about Sodium LevulinateWater. 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