What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
C13-15 Alkane
SolventBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Surfactant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Polyquaternium-10
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Quaternium-91
Aloe Vera Callus Extract
Antioxidant
Cetrimonium Methosulfate
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
Humectant
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-37
Pisum Sativum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
PPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Phytate
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cetearyl Alcohol, C13-15 Alkane, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Isopentyldiol, Polyquaternium-10, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Quaternium-91, Aloe Vera Callus Extract, Cetrimonium Methosulfate, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Sodium PCA, Cetrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Proline, Hydroxyproline, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Polyquaternium-37, Pisum Sativum Seed Extract, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, 1,2-Hexanediol, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Phytate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Polyquaternium-32
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
PPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Silk Amino Acids
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Propylene Glycol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Polyquaternium-32, Paraffinum Liquidum, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Silk Amino Acids, Disodium EDTA, 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 JuiceThis ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolWe don't have a description for PPG-1 Trideceth-6 yet.
Tocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
