What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
C13-15 Alkane
SolventSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Magnesium Sulfate
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientIsotridecyl Isononanoate
EmollientTriethyl Citrate
Masking
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polypropylsilsesquioxane
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Quaternium-90 Bentonite
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Propylene Carbonate
SolventEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Lecithin
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Disodium EDTA
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Amyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Spiraea Ulmaria Extract
Astringent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Benzyl Glycol
SolventPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Convallaria Majalis Bulb/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Candidum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnolia Liliflora Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRaspberry Ketone
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tbhq
Antioxidant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Methicone, C13-15 Alkane, Sorbitan Isostearate, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Magnesium Sulfate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Isotridecyl Isononanoate, Triethyl Citrate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Potassium Sorbate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Propylene Carbonate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Propanediol, Disodium EDTA, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Hydroxycitronellal, Geraniol, Maltodextrin, Amyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Citric Acid, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Squalane, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Benzyl Glycol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Hyaluronic Acid, Convallaria Majalis Bulb/Root Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Lilium Candidum Flower Extract, Magnolia Liliflora Flower Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Raspberry Ketone, Tocopherol, Tbhq, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlumina
Abrasive
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Trimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Glycerin, Silica, Isononyl Isononanoate, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Xanthan Gum, Alumina, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77742, CI 77007, CI 77289, CI 77288, CI 19140
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 Extract is a botanical extract pulled from the leaves of aloe vera and one of the most studied plant ingredients in cosmetics.
The inner leaf gel it comes from is mostly water (~99-99.5%) and the remaining fraction is made up of pretty good stuff: polysaccharides, vitamins, phenolics, and enzymes.
Its headline job is hydration.
The star polysaccharide in aloe, acemannan, is a humectant that retains moisture and helps reduce trans-epidermal water loss.
Aloe also has real soothing credentials; it contains anti-inflammatory compounds like bradykinase and C-glucosyl chromone that help calm irritation and redness.
On the repair side, lab work shows that acemannan wakes up your skin's repair cells (fibroblasts), prompting them to multiply and speed up healing.
There's some human data for cosmetic benefit too: a cream containing 10% Aloe Barbadensis leaf extract improved skin hydration and elasticity in a real-use study.
Safety-wise, this ingredient is well-regarded with just one rare downside; there have been some case reports of acute eczema, contact urticaria, and dermatitis in people who applied aloe-derived ingredients topically. Those with a known aloe or Liliaceae sensitivity should patch test.
Typical use levels range widely, from under 1% up to 90%+ depending on the format and the effect you are after.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that 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. Just 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.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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 PhenoxyethanolTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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
