What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Urea
Buffering
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Usnea Barbata Extract
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Water, Propanediol, Urea, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium PCA, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder, Citric Acid, Allantoin, Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Usnea Barbata Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningUrea
Buffering
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBoswellia Carterii Oil
Masking
Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPinene
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Urea, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Benzyl Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder, Lactic Acid, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Xanthan Gum, Boswellia Carterii Oil, Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Pinene, Limonene
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 Powder comes from the aloe plant.
Aloe leaves have a variety of benefits. They are most commonly known for the ability to soothe sunburns. This is due to their anti-inflammation and cooling properties.
Aloe leaves also contain many vitamins, such as Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are all antioxidants that can reduce skin damage from free-radical molecules.
Aloe should not replace your sunscreen as it does not protect against UV.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf PowderThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideSodium 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 HyaluronateUrea is also called carbamide and is the diamide of carbonic acid. In cosmetics, urea is used to hydrate the skin. It also provides exfoliation in higher concentrations.
As a humectant, urea helps draw moisture from the air and from deep within the skin. This helps hydrate your skin. Studies show urea is an effective moisturizer for dry skin conditions. 40% urea is typical in medications for treating eczema and other skin conditions.
Urea has the strongest exfoliation effect in concentrations higher than 10%. It is a keratolytic agent, meaning it breaks down the keratin protein in the top layer of skin. This helps remove dead skin cells and flaking skin.
In medicine, urea has been shown to help increase the potency of other ingredients, such as fungal treatments.
Humans and animals use urea to metabolize nitrogen-containing compounds. Urea is highly soluble in water. Once dissolved, it is neither acidic nor alkaline.
Urea is actually one of the more well-studied and well-supported ingredients out there if you have eczema.
Clinical trials have shown that urea creams in the 5 - 10% range can:
Higher concentrations (20 -30%) can also help with thickened, scaly patches but is also more likely to sting on active flares.
Skip urea if you have rosacea. The AAD (American Academy of Dermatology) lists it alongside alcohol, menthol, and fragrance as a potential irritant for rosacea-prone skin. Urea's keratolytic and penetration-enhancing properties can trigger stinging, burning, and redness.
As always, your skin is unique, so definitely check in with your dermatologist.
Learn more about UreaWater. 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
