What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCannabis Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientNageia Nagi Seed Oil
AntiseborrhoeicVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningThymus Zygis Flower Oil
MaskingUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingRosa Indica Flower Extract
AntioxidantWater
Skin ConditioningActinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientPhormium Tenax Leaf Water
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantChamomilla Vulgaris Extract
Skin ProtectingOcimum Basilicum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantCarum Carvi Seed Oil
MaskingLac Powder
Skin ConditioningVateria Indica Bark Extract
AntioxidantSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantCallitris Columellaris Leaf/Wood Extract
AntioxidantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingEthylhexyl Palmitate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Nageia Nagi Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Thymus Zygis Flower Oil, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Squalane, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Rosa Indica Flower Extract, Water, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Phormium Tenax Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Chamomilla Vulgaris Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Glucoside, Carum Carvi Seed Oil, Lac Powder, Vateria Indica Bark Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Callitris Columellaris Leaf/Wood Extract, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingPEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingVincetoxicum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Dipropylene Glycol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Centella Asiatica Extract, Vincetoxicum Atratum Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Butylene Glycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl 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.
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
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 GlycolCentella 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 ExtractEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract comes from the Tea Tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, Myrtaceae. This tea tree is native to Australia.
Tea Leaf extract contains antimicrobial and anti-acne properties.
This ingredient has perfuming properties and contains linalool and limonene. These fragrance and terpinen components can cause skin sensitivity.
Learn more about the benefits of Tea Tree Oil here.
Learn more about Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf ExtractThis ingredient is also known as tea tree oil. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
Tea tree oil is a complex lipophilic (fat-loving) oil that contains around 100 compounds with terpinen-4-ol being the most abundant (~40%).
Terpinen-4-ol is responsible for tea tree oil's broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and makes it a well-researched option for acne.
Clinical studies support 5% tea tree oil as an effective topical treatment for mild to moderate acne. A study with 124 patients compared 5% tea tree oil gel to 5% benzoyl peroxide and both reduced acne (though tea tree oil worked more slowly).
Besides acne, it is also seen in anti-dandruff shampoos and scalp treatments for it's antimicrobial and anti-seborrheic properties.
Safety-wise, the allergic potential of low concentrations on healthy skin is considered low. However, oxidized (old or improperly stored) tea tree oil is a stronger sensitizer.
Irritation can also occur if using the undiluted oil on skin; it's best to use this ingredient as part of a carefully crafted cosmetic formula. This is because regulations require tea tree oil in cosmetics to be stabilized to prevent degradation.
This ingredient has been deemed safe up to 2% in shampoo, 1% in cleansers, and 0.1% in face cream by the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS).
There is some lab evidence that tea tree oil is antifungal against Malassezia, but it is a supportive option at best and not a replacement for proven antifungal treatments.
Learn more about Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf OilWater. 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