Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Mary & May Vegan Blackberry Complex Cream Essence versus Dr. Althea Skin Relief Essence .
Last updated on October 27, 2023. Published on November 04, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan and reef safe essences. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain ceramides and hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Essence
Essences are used to prep skin for further treatment and may provide extra skin benefits. They are usually used before serum and moisturizers. Essences are thought to have originated in either Japan or Korea and is an essential step in K-Beauty.
Essence
Essences are used to prep skin for further treatment and may provide extra skin benefits. They are usually used before serum and moisturizers. Essences are thought to have originated in either Japan or Korea and is an essential step in K-Beauty.
Ingredient Info
Mary & May Vegan Blackberry Complex Cream Essence 22 ingredients
Dr. Althea Skin Relief Essence 43 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Mary & May Vegan Blackberry Complex Cream Essence 22 ingredients
Dr. Althea Skin Relief Essence 43 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Mary & May Vegan Blackberry Complex Cream Essence 22 ingredients
Dr. Althea Skin Relief Essence 43 ingredients
Water • Nymphaea Caerulea Flower Water • Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil • Hydrogenated Polydecene • Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract • 1,2-Hexanediol • Propanediol • Centella Asiatica Extract • Ficus Carica Fruit Extract • Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract • Sodium Hyaluronate • Hydrogenated Lecithin • Butylene Glycol • Glycerin • Trilaureth-4 Phosphate • Sodium Polyacrylate • Pvm/Ma Copolymer • Cyanocobalamin • Ceramide NP • Maltodextrin • Ethylhexylglycerin • Tocopherol
Centella Asiatica Extract • Water • Dipropylene Glycol • Butylene Glycol • Glycerin • Benzyl Glycol • Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer • Ethylhexylglycerin • Propanediol • Sodium Hyaluronate • Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate • Panthenol • Carbomer • Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract • Arginine • Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate • Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract • Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract • Disodium EDTA • Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer • 1,2-Hexanediol • Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract • Dextrin • Squalane • Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil • Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract • Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract • Corn Starch Modified • Peat Water • Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans • Acetic Acid • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Citric Acid • Spirulina Maxima Extract • Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer • Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid • Hydrogenated Lecithin • Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate • Ceramide 3 • Hyaluronic Acid • Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate • Limonene • Linalool
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterMary & May Vegan Blackberry Complex Cream Essence contains this as ingredient number 1.
Dr. Althea Skin Relief Essence contains this as ingredient number 2.
1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.
In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.
Mary & May Vegan Blackberry Complex Cream Essence contains this as ingredient number 6.
Dr. Althea Skin Relief Essence contains this as ingredient number 21.
Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.
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 PropanediolMary & May Vegan Blackberry Complex Cream Essence contains this as ingredient number 7.
Dr. Althea Skin Relief Essence contains this as ingredient number 9.
Centella Asiatica Extract is derived from an herb plant native to Southeast Asia. It is rich in antioxidants and amino acids. In skincare products, Centella Asiatica Extract is used for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Many active components found in Centella Asiatica Extract, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside, encourage the skin to naturally produce hyaluronic acid. This helps keep our skin hydrated. Many of these components also show antioxidant activity and may help reduce the signs of aging.
Research shows Centella Asiatica can help increase Type I collagen production by increasing fibroblast production. Fibroblast helps form connective tissue.
The combination of all these properties makes Centella Asiatica Extract effective at soothing the skin.
Other components of Centella Asiatic Extract include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Recent studies found madecassoside may help prevent damage from UV rays by preventing UV-induced inflammation. Further research is needed.
This plant 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 ExtractMary & May Vegan Blackberry Complex Cream Essence contains this as ingredient number 8.
Dr. Althea Skin Relief Essence contains this as ingredient number 1.
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 HyaluronateMary & May Vegan Blackberry Complex Cream Essence contains this as ingredient number 11.
Dr. Althea Skin Relief Essence contains this as ingredient number 10.
Hydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin. Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between molecule hydrogen and another element.
Hydrogenated Lecithin is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within.
The phospholipids in Hydrogenated Lecithin can produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier to be better absorbed.
As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinMary & May Vegan Blackberry Complex Cream Essence contains this as ingredient number 12.
Dr. Althea Skin Relief Essence contains this as ingredient number 37.
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.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.
Mary & May Vegan Blackberry Complex Cream Essence contains this as ingredient number 13.
Dr. Althea Skin Relief Essence contains this as ingredient number 4.
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 GlycerinMary & May Vegan Blackberry Complex Cream Essence contains this as ingredient number 14.
Dr. Althea Skin Relief Essence contains this as ingredient number 5.
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.
Mary & May Vegan Blackberry Complex Cream Essence contains this as ingredient number 21.
Dr. Althea Skin Relief Essence contains this as ingredient number 8.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Mary & May Vegan Blackberry Complex Cream Essence 22 ingredients
Dr. Althea Skin Relief Essence 43 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Mary & May Vegan Blackberry Complex Cream Essence 22 ingredients
Dr. Althea Skin Relief Essence 43 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Mary & May Vegan Blackberry Complex Cream Essence 22 ingredients
CourtneyChristopher
Has a great texture and is fun to mix! A nice alternative to the kombucha essence. Leaves skin feeling hydrated
Dr. Althea Skin Relief Essence 43 ingredients
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