What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingTrehalose
HumectantMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantEclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingGloiopeltis Furcata Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Rhizome/Root
EmollientHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantAmaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
AntimicrobialPinus Pinaster Bark Extract
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycine Soja Sterols
EmollientLinoleic Acid
CleansingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Fructooligosaccharides
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCamphor
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveSarcosine
Skin Conditioning4-Terpineol
MaskingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, Trehalose, Methyl Trimethicone, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sorbitan Olivate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Gloiopeltis Furcata Extract, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Rhizome/Root, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sorbitan Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycine Soja Sterols, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipids, Disodium EDTA, Fructooligosaccharides, Salicylic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Capryloyl Glycine, Ceramide NP, Hexylene Glycol, Camphor, Silica, Sarcosine, 4-Terpineol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Water
Skin ConditioningC9-12 Alkane
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTartaric Acid
BufferingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientMel
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
MaskingDi-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingLaureth-4
EmulsifyingGlycine
BufferingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingArginine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
MaskingThreonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingHistidine
HumectantParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, C9-12 Alkane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tartaric Acid, Isononyl Isononanoate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Algae Extract, Mel, Caffeine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Salicylic Acid, Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Laureth-4, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Tyrosine, Arginine, Lysine, Proline, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Isoleucine, Valine, Histidine, Parfum, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Citral, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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