What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Olivate
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Phytate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin Protecting
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantRhodiola Rosea Root Extract
EmollientPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract
Perfuming
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRose Extract
Skin ConditioningSantalum Album Wood Extract
Perfuming
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Cananga Odorata Flower Extract
Perfuming
Citrus Grandis Peel Extract
Astringent
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientSorbic Acid
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Iron Oxides
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Propanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Beta-Glucan, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Panthenol, Allantoin, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Phytate, Sorbitan Olivate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Rose Extract, Santalum Album Wood Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Sorbic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantSodium Phytate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Squalane, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Propanediol, Propylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Allantoin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Gluconolactone, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinAloe 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 Olivate is a plant-derived emulsifier and texture enhancer. It helps keep the oil and water phases from separating so your formulas stay stable.
You'll likely see it combined with Sorbitan Olivate (together sold as the trade name Olivem 1000). This combination generates a liquid crystal structure that closely resemble the lipid organization of the stratum corneum.
These "skin-like" liquid crystals improve skin barrier integrity and promote the delivery of actives into the skin.
This ingredient is well-tolerated and has no significant sensitization data.
Because it is derived from the fatty acids in olive oil, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholThis extract comes from cucumber. Cucumbers are mostly made up of water (95%), and the other 5% is composed of: vitamin C, caffeic acid, fatty acids, amino acids, and other minerals.
Cucumbers have anti-inflammatory, barrier repair, and hydrating properties.
They contain shikimate dehydrigenase, an enzyme shown to help reduce inflammation and soothe the skin.
The amino acids found in cucumbers help nourish our skin's natural acid mantle (it's an important part of our skin barrier). This slightly acidic film acts as a barrier to protect us from bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants.
Unless you have an allergy to cucumbers, this is generally a non-irritating ingredient.
Fun fact: Cucumis Sativus is native to South Asia and can now be found on every continent.
Learn more about Cucumis Sativus Fruit ExtractPhenoxyethanol 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 PhenoxyethanolPropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Sorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan Olivate
