Versus

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Gel Cream Versus Mediheal Tea Tree Biome Blemish Cica Cream

General Moisturizer
General Moisturizer
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on July 18, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 15 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Gel Cream
Tea Tree Biome Blemish Cica Cream

Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water 50%

Antimicrobial
Good for Oily Skin Icon

Centella Asiatica Extract 25%

Cleansing
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Propanediol

Solvent

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate

Emollient

Phenyl Trimethicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Water

Skin Conditioning

Hyaluronic Acid

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Madecassoside

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Cutibacterium Granulosum Ferment Extract Filtrate

Emollient

Asiaticoside

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Asiatic Acid

Skin Conditioning

Madecassic Acid

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Sorbitan Isostearate

Emulsifying
1-2 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

4-Terpineol

Masking

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Tromethamine

Buffering

Microcrystalline Cellulose

Absorbent

Lecithin

Emollient

Maltodextrin

Absorbent

Anhydroxylitol

Humectant

Xylitol

Humectant

Hydrolyzed Acacia Macrostachya Seed Extract

Skin Conditioning

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract

Emollient

Xylitylglucoside

Humectant

Pyrus Communis Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Glucose

Humectant

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer

Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract

Astringent

Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Medicago Sativa Extract

Tonic

Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract

Skin Conditioning

Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract

Skin Conditioning

Brassica Campestris Extract

Skin Conditioning

Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans

Humectant

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Benzyl Glycol

Solvent

Cellulose Gum

Emulsion Stabilising
0 / 0

Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Melilotus Officinalis Extract

Astringent

Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Raspberry Ketone

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. 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. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse. 

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 preservatives 
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (let's call it AAVC for short) is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.

AAVC is able to increase the consistency and viscosity of products due to its large molecule size. It also prevents ingredients from separating.

Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is a form of hyaluronic acid. It is created by the hydrolysis of hyaluronic acid with a high molecular weight. Once created, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid has a low molecular weight.

Low molecular weight HA has been shown to hydrate and increase elasticity of the skin. Increasing elasticity is also associated with reduction of wrinkle depth.

One study found topical low molecular weight hyaluronic acid may be considered for the treatment of rosacea in the adult population. However, we always recommend speaking with a professional about your skin concerns.

Hyaluronic acids are a humectant. This means they draw moisture from the air. Hyaluronic acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.

Read more about other common forms of hyaluronic acid:

Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Cleansing, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing

Centella 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 Extract
Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.

This ingredient has many skin benefits:

This ingredient contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off molecules that damage skin cells.

On top of that, the antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.

Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory properties.

Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.

Other compounds found in tea include: Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.

Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.

Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is a type of hyaluronic acid. In fact, it is modified version of hyaluronic acid.

The structure of Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer allows it to stay in the skin's top layer for a longer period of time. This allows for even more hydration and humectant action than hyaluronic acid.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant, Moisturising, Skin Conditioning

Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.

This ingredient helps hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin.

What makes hyaluronic acid so hydrating? It has the capacity to bind or hold large amounts of water.

Fun fact: It is already naturally found in our bodies, such as the fluids of our eyes and our joints.

Studies find this ingredient to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. This can help speed up wound-healing.

Hyaluronic acid can be irritating if the molecule has a low-molecular weight, or if the molecules are small.

One study found low-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to be pro-inflammatory, meaning some people may experience irritation. This is because our bodies use hyaluronic acid in the wound-healing process to signal to our bodies, via irritation, that something needs healing.

The same study found high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to be anti-inflammatory.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Solvent

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 Propanediol
Skin Conditioning

Phenyl Trimethicone is a silicon-based polymer. It is derived from silica.

Phenyl Trimethicone is used as an emollient and prevents products from foaming.

As an emollient, it helps trap moisture in the skin. It is considered an occlusive.

Learn more about Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

When to use

1,428 Routines
52% use in am
47% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
6 Routines
17% use in am
83% use in pm
83% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Gel Cream 39 ingredients

3.8 /5
from 50 ratings
Hydrating (25) No Scent (24) Absorbs Well (19)
skinogre's avatar

skinogre

1 year ago
Review

SO SO SO SO SO GOOD. Not only does it make my skin look like glass, it moistens my skin without having oil residue and breakouts, I literally moan while putting it on because it feels so silky and smooth. I really love it, it has a perfect consistency, leaves me moistened the whole day and is infused with five different hyaluronic acids and if you don’t know isntree is THE it brand for hyaluronic Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well
AnaHuynh's avatar

AnaHuynh

2 years ago
Review

AMAZING
This is the best lightweight moisturizer for combo/oily skin! But it is more better for oily skin. For me, my cheeks are usually dry because I have combo skin, so it does less well for that patch, I just add another layer in that area. But it’s only a little problem, and is AWESOME FOR THE REST OF MY FACE. It’s good because it’s lightweight, non sticky AND MOISTURIZING. It did not clog Show more

Mediheal Tea Tree Biome Blemish Cica Cream 54 ingredients

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