What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Ferox Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningViola Mandshurica Flower Extract
AntioxidantLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSucrose Stearate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Aloe Ferox Leaf Extract, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Allantoin, Hexylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Arginine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sucrose Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingWater
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating4-Terpineol
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Butylene Glycol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Betaine, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Allantoin, Panthenol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Carbomer, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, 4-Terpineol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
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 AllantoinArginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineButylene 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 ExtractDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium 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 EDTAHydroxyacetophenone 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 HydroxyacetophenoneWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum