What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion StabilisingTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
EmollientKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialPicea Mariana Bark Extract
AntioxidantSalvia Miltiorrhiza Root Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantEucalyptus Globulus Oil
Citrus Sinensis Peel Oil Expressed
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Picea Mariana Bark Extract, Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Eucalyptus Globulus Oil, Citrus Sinensis Peel Oil Expressed, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Niacinamide
SmoothingHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingTropolone
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Pentylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Niacinamide, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Propanediol, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tropolone, Lactic Acid, Phenoxyethanol
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 JuicePentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolWater. 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