Updated on July 18, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils and silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Day Cream 29 ingredients
Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Gel Cream 39 ingredients
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Day Cream 29 ingredients
Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Gel Cream 39 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Concerns
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Benefits
This product contains 6 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Ingredients Side-by-side
Water. 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.
Isononyl Isononanoate is a synthetic skin-conditioner and texture enhancer. It is created from nonanoic acid, a fatty acid found in cocoa and lavender oil.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone used to improve texture and trap moisture. An easier name for this is D5.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
3 Concerns
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Myristyl Myristate is created from the fatty acids of myristyl alcohol and myristic acid. In skincare, it is an emollient and texture enhancer.
Not safe for Fungal Acne
Sesame oil comes from sesame seeds. Sesame oil is rich in fatty acids and Vitamin E.
Cyclohexasiloxane is a type of silicone more commonly known as D6. It is an emollient and solvent.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Myristyl Alcohol is type of fatty alcohol. It is a white, waxy solid and insoluble in water.
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.
Cetearyl Glucoside is a surfactant and emulsifier. It can be produced from synthetic of natural sources of cetearyl alcohol and glucose.
Palmitic Acid is a fatty acid found in our skin. In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It is a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
Bisabolol is pimarily used to add fragrance to a product. However, it is also famous for helping soothe skin.
Xanthan 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.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
Stearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients.
Lauric Acid is a fatty acid or lipid. About half of fatty acids in coconut oil is lauric acid.
Myristic Acid is a saturated fatty acid. It is naturally found in milk fat. Other sources include palm oil, coconut oil, and butter fat.
Peg-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Antioxidant Helps hydrate Dry Skin
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract is is derived from colloidal oatmeal. Besides being a healthy breakfast, oats have many benefits in skincare too.
Water, Isononyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cetyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Glucoside, Palmitic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Myristyl Glucoside, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, P-Anisic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Bisabolol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Stearyl Alcohol, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Peg-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Trideceth-6, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Water. 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.
Coco-Caprylate is created from fatty coconut alcohol and caprylic acid.
1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
Biosaccharide Gum-1 is a sugar created from fermented sorbitol. Most sorbitol is made from potato starch.
Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (let's call it AAVC for short) is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Trehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is a form of hyaluronic acid. It is created by the hydrolysis of hyaluronic acid with a high molecular weight. Once created, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid has a low molecular weight.
Centella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract comes from the Japanese Knotweed plant native to Japan, Korea, and China.
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract comes from the Baikal skullcap or Chinese skullcap plant. This plant is native to Northeast Asia and can be found in China, Mongolia, Korea, and Siberia.
5 Benefits
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.
Portulaca Oleracea Extract is an extract of the whole plant of the Purslane, Portulaca oleracea L., Portulacaceae. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hydrating properties.
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
Houttuynia Cordata Extract is more commonly known as Heart Leaf, Fish Mint, or Chameleon plant.
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract comes from rosemary. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean.
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is a type of hyaluronic acid. In fact, it is modified version of hyaluronic acid.
Sodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid and is naturally occurring on human skin.
Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.
Stearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients.
Butylene Glycol Cocoate isn't fungal acne safe.
Cetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
4 Benefits May cause irritation
Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.
Not safe for Fungal Acne
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Xanthan 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.
Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.
Phenyl Trimethicone is a silicon-based polymer. It is derived from silica.
Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
Water, Methylpropanediol, Coco-Caprylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Betaine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Trehalose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium PCA, Squalane, Stearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol Cocoate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Ethylcellulose, Propanediol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.
Xanthan 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 GumStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients.
Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent alcohols. FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
When to use
The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Day Cream 29 ingredients
Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Gel Cream 39 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Day Cream 29 ingredients
Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Gel Cream 39 ingredients
skinogre
SO SO SO SO SO GOOD. Not only does it make my skin look like glass, it moistens my skin without having oil residue and breakouts, I literally moan...
SO SO SO SO SO GOOD. Not only does it make my skin look like glass, it moistens my skin without having oil residue and breakouts, I literally moan while putting it on because it feels so silky and smooth. I really love it, it has a perfect consistency, leaves me moistened the whole day and is infused with five different hyaluronic acids and if you don’t know isntree is THE it brand for hyaluronic acids to the extent that their formula is so good they had to patent the formulas for their hyaluronic acid. I really advise it for oily skin and this is my holy grail. I used it from late Nov-Feb so I’d say it has a usage of 3 months which is very reasonable but If I had to say anything bad about it, it would be that i wish it had options of purchasing larger bottles of like 150ml
AnaHuynh
AMAZING
This is the best lightweight moisturizer for combo/oily skin! But it is more better for oily skin. For me, my cheeks are usually dry...
AMAZING
This is the best lightweight moisturizer for combo/oily skin! But it is more better for oily skin. For me, my cheeks are usually dry because I have combo skin, so it does less well for that patch, I just add another layer in that area. But it’s only a little problem, and is AWESOME FOR THE REST OF MY FACE. It’s good because it’s lightweight, non sticky AND MOISTURIZING. It did not clog any pores or gave me any more acne, it made it better! It’s always good to have a lightweight moisturizer for combo/oily skin because if it’s too thick, it would clog your pores. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
