What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDiglycerin
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientBetula Alba Juice
AstringentEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Leaf Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningVitex Agnus Castus Extract
AstringentChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingPolyglycerin-3
HumectantCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingAniba Rosodora Wood Oil
AstringentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Tromethamine
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Diglycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Butylene Glycol, Stearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Betula Alba Juice, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Ceramide NP, Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Vitex Agnus Castus Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Polyglycerin-3, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Polyacrylate, Trideceth-6, Carbomer, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Tromethamine, Hydroxyacetophenone
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientC13-15 Alkane
SolventPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningVitex Agnus Castus Extract
AstringentChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, C13-15 Alkane, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Silica, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Centella Asiatica Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Vitex Agnus Castus Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum, Linalool
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 an extract of the leaves of the aloe, Aloe barbadensis, Liliaceae.
Aloe is one of the most well-known natural soothing ingredients, and for good reason. It’s full of water and has a cooling, calming effect on the skin, especially when it’s sunburned, itchy, or irritated. Aloe also helps your skin stay hydrated and smooth by mimicking what healthy skin naturally produces. On top of that, it contains vitamins and nutrients that support skin recovery.Â
It doesn’t protect you from the sun, but it can help your skin bounce back after too much time in it.
Let’s get into the details:
Aloe contains antioxidant Vitamins A, C, and E, which help fight off free radicals (unstable molecules from things like pollution that can damage your skin).
It’s also rich in polysaccharides, which are natural sugars that help hydrate the skin by acting like the skin’s own moisturizing agents. These, along with other sugars like monosaccharides, help form a protective barrier that locks in moisture.
Aloe works as both a humectant and an emollient. That means it draws water into the skin (humectant) and helps trap it there (emollient), making it an effective natural moisturizer.
You’ll also find a mix of other skin-supporting ingredients in aloe, including folic acid, choline, calcium, amino acids, fatty acids, and even Vitamin B12.
Out of the 420+ species of aloe, Aloe barbadensis is the most widely used in skincare products thanks to its gentle yet effective properties.
There are over 420 species of aloe but Aloe Barbadensis is the most commonly used for topical products.
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 high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.
Chamomile is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Several compounds found in chamomile help with soothing, such as bisbolol.
Antioxidant components in chamomile make it an effective ingredient to help slow the signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or molecules that may damage your skin.
Essential oils from chamomile have been found to improve wound healing due to its antimicrobial properties.
Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used Chamomile to treat skin redness and dryness. Chamomile has also been used to help treat stomach issues.
Learn more about Chamomilla Recutita Flower ExtractDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium 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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneThis extract comes from Purslane, a succulent. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hydrating properties.
Purslane is very nutritious. It contains omega-3 fatty acids, NMFs, many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The vitamins found in purslane include: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E.
Fun fact: Purslane is a succulent with an extensive habitat. It is used in traditional Korean medicine to treat irritated skin.
Nowadays, purslane is becoming a superfood due to its highly nutritious content.
Learn more about Portulaca Oleracea ExtractSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineVitex Agnus-Castus Extract comes from the chasteberry. It has soothing and contains antioxidant rich compounds.
Most of the research for this extract focuses on oral use and topical clinical evidence is limited at this time. In oral studies, this ingredient is studied for hormone-related conditions (such as PMS or menopause).
Topical use is generally considered safe but allergic or sensitive reactions are possible. Be sure to patch test.
Learn more about Vitex Agnus Castus ExtractWater. 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