What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Orange Roughy Oil
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingMalpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Isotridecyl Isononanoate
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Methicone
Emollient
Alumina
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Zinc Oxide, Butylene Glycol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Orange Roughy Oil, Alpha-Arbutin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Isotridecyl Isononanoate, Titanium Dioxide, Pentylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Methicone, Alumina, Tocopherol, T-Butyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Silica
Abrasive
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Orange Roughy Oil
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Morus Alba Extract
AstringentAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Silver
Cosmetic ColorantPlatinum
Antimicrobial
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Bicarbonate
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Silica, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Orange Roughy Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Alpha-Arbutin, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Salvia Officinalis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Morus Alba Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Silver, Platinum, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Bicarbonate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Potassium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, 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 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 ExtractAlpha-Arbutin is made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may also be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.
This ingredient an antioxidant, meaning it helps protect your skin cells against damage.
Studies show this ingredient helps improve hyperpigmentation and fade discoloration.
Alpha-Arbutin may be used with other ingredients that help with hyperpigmentation. These ingredients include retinol, Vitamin C, niacinamide, and tranexamic acid.
Learn more about Alpha-ArbutinButylene 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 GlycolHydrolyzed collagen has a misleading name because it is actually a mixture of various proteins/peptides. This ingredient has skin hydrating properties.
Collagen is the most abundant type of structural protein found in your body. In your skin, it is responsible for keeping it firm and youthful.
Hydrolyzed Collagen is created by breaking up proteins into smaller peptide bonds. These peptides act as humectants and emollients.
Humectants are great at holding onto water, keeping skin hydrated. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
There is ongoing debate about whether hydrolyzed collagen works because it increases skin hydration. Skin hydration is also linked to elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles.
Collagen or peptide ingredients can be used in the morning or night. They will not increase sun sensitivity, but you should always wear sunscreen during the day.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is a great hair conditioner as well.
This ingredient can be extracted from different sources, including:
Vegan collagen is derived from yeast, bacteria, or plant sources. Vegan collagen would go by a different INCI name, such as hydrolyzed soy protein.
The results are varied.
A study from 2021 found hydrolyzed collagen increased elasticity and improved wrinkles in 1,125 participants between age 20 and 70. Another study found increased skin thickness in participants between the ages of 45 to 59.
However, It is difficult to prove that oral collagen will end up working on your skin. Many of the studies using hydrolyzed collagen also add several vitamins and nutrients into the test mixture as well.
Further studies are needed at this time.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed CollagenThis ingredient is also known as acerola or barbados cherry. It is rich in antioxidants and polysaccharides, giving it skin protecting and hydrating properties.
Orange Roughy Oil is an oil.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract comes from the Baikal skullcap or Chinese skullcap plant. This plant is native to Northeast Asia and can be found in China, Mongolia, Korea, and Siberia.
In cosmetics, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. This is due to the flavonoid composition of Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract.
In Chinese traditional folk medicine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract is used to help treat lung issues and hypertension.
Learn more about Scutellaria Baicalensis Root ExtractSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read about common types of Hyaluronic Acid here:
Learn more about Sodium Acetylated HyaluronateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract comes from grapes.
Grape extract has many skin benefits. It also contains many potent antioxidants such as Vitamin E , Vitamin C, proanthocyanidins, polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Antioxidants help protect skin. Proanthocyanidin have also been shown to help even out skin tone.
Grape extract also helps soothe and hydrate your skin.
Learn more about Vitis Vinifera Fruit 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
