What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Betaine
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Basilicum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingMentha Viridis Extract
MaskingOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentSarothamnus Scoparius Extract
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAngelica Dahurica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Morifolium Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Leaf Extract
MaskingHippophae Rhamnoides Extract
MaskingMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingThuja Occidentalis Leaf Extract
AntioxidantVitex Trifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientSambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentAsarum Sieboldii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningJuglans Regia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingWater, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Mentha Viridis Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Sarothamnus Scoparius Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Angelica Dahurica Root Extract, Chrysanthemum Morifolium Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Leaf Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Thuja Occidentalis Leaf Extract, Vitex Trifolia Fruit Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Asarum Sieboldii Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Juglans Regia Seed Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Hydroxide, Parfum
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract 90%
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDiglycerin
HumectantC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Glucose
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBambusa Vulgaris Water
Skin ConditioningBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAngelica Keiskei Extract
AntioxidantHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentArtemisia Annua Extract
MaskingSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract 90%, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Diglycerin, C14-22 Alcohols, Carbomer, Polysorbate 60, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Potassium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Glucose, Panthenol, Bambusa Vulgaris Water, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Angelica Keiskei Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Artemisia Annua Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, 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 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 ExtractButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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 PhenoxyethanolPotassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.
Sapnification is the process of creating fatty acid metal salts from triglycerides and a strong base. During this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used up and is not present in the final product.
Using high concentrations of Potassium Hydroxide have shown to irritate the skin.
Learn more about Potassium Hydroxide