What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyamide-5
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polysilicone-11
Squalane
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Laureth-12
EmulsifyingCetearyl Olivate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Silybum Marianum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Betula Alba Leaf Extract
AstringentBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Squalene
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Saccharide Isomerate, Propanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Polyamide-5, Dimethicone, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polysilicone-11, Squalane, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Laureth-12, Cetearyl Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Olivate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Tocopherol, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Silybum Marianum Extract, Betula Alba Leaf Extract, Beta-Sitosterol, Panthenol, Squalene, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Citrate
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Polysilicone-11
Laureth-12
EmulsifyingSodium Palmitoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningSea Water Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
Masking
Crocus Chrysanthus Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Curculigo Orchioides Root Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Acetyl Hexapeptide-49
Skin Conditioning
Marrubium Vulgare Meristem Cell Culture
Skin ProtectingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSea Whip Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cucumis Sativus Fruit
Skin Conditioning
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
Cleansing
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingTetrasodium EDTA
Water, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Polysilicone-11, Laureth-12, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Sea Water Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Panthenol, Pentylene Glycol, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Crocus Chrysanthus Bulb Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Curculigo Orchioides Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-49, Marrubium Vulgare Meristem Cell Culture, Xanthan Gum, Sea Whip Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cucumis Sativus Fruit, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA
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 JuiceCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Laureth-12 yet.
Panthenol 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 PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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 PhenoxyethanolPolysilicone-11 is a film-forming silicone that creates a non-tacky and matte finish on the skin. It's commonly used to improve texture, absorb excess oil, and help active ingredients spread evenly.
Due to its "rubber-like" structure, it stays on the skin's surface instead of being absorbed. On the skin, it creates a flexible layer that enhances wearability and stability.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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
