What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Diethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventWater
Skin ConditioningCutibacterium Granulosum Ferment Extract Filtrate
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
Humectant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAnhydroxylitol
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Xylitol
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Acacia Macrostachya Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientGlucose
Humectant
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
4-Terpineol
Masking
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris Extract
Skin ConditioningRaphanus Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Water, Cutibacterium Granulosum Ferment Extract Filtrate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xylitylglucoside, Sclerotium Gum, Anhydroxylitol, Lecithin, Xylitol, Maltodextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Acacia Macrostachya Seed Extract, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Glucose, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, 4-Terpineol, Madecassoside, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Medicago Sativa Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Brassica Campestris Extract, Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Methylpropanediol
SolventMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDiethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventDisodium EDTA
Tromethamine
BufferingWater
Skin ConditioningDextrin
Absorbent4-Terpineol
Masking
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Methylpropanediol, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Disodium EDTA, Tromethamine, Water, Dextrin, 4-Terpineol, Lactobacillus Ferment, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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.
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
4-Terpineol is the main component of tea tree oil.
This ingredient is the reason tea tree oil has most of its reputation. Research points to a broad range of biological activity including antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.
Studies show it can significantly block the pathway involved in skin inflammation. It has also been shown to work against acne-causing bacteria, fungi, and even some viruses (and seems to be more effective on its own rather than part of tea tree oil).
Overall, this botanical extract is well-researched and skin-friendly.
Learn more about 4-TerpineolAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerWe don't have a description for Diethoxyethyl Succinate yet.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is also known as tea tree leaf water or tea tree hydrosol. It functions as an antimicrobial, anti-sebum, astringent, and tonic ingredient.
You can think of it as a gentler, water-version of tea tree oil.
Its star active is terpinen-4-ol, a broad-spectrum antimicrobial.
The water-soluble compounds of tea tree have been shown to calm inflammation by roughly 50% in vitro (with Terpinen-4-ol driving this).
Terpinen-4-ol has also demonstrated strong inhibitory activity against Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus.
Before slathering on tea tree water, just know concentrations under 5% are considered more suitable and safer than higher concentrations.
The European Medicines Agency recognizes tea tree-derived ingredients as having well-established use for mild acne and small superficial wounds.
It's a well-researched and skin-friendly option for oily or acne-prone skin.
As with most actives, patch testing is a good idea if your skin leans sensitive.
Learn more about Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf WaterMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract is from the Neem tree. Neem trees originate from India.
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
The flowers of this tree are lilac colored.
Learn more about Melia Azadirachta Flower ExtractThis ingredient is also known as neem leaf extract. It contains natural compounds like nimbidin, quercetin, and other polyphenols that give it antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activity.
Lab studies have shown neem leaf extract can inhibit acne-related bacteria and help calm skin. Animal studies on wound gels using 1-3% neem leaf extract found it sped up healing without causing irritation.
A wound-healing study testing gels with the extract at 1%, 2%, and 3% concentrations and found none of them irritated the skin.
Most commercial products also use it in a similar low range (typically under 5%).
Allergy-wise, there are some case reports on neem oil causing allergic contact dermatitis so people with plant/botanical sensitivities may want to patch test first.
Learn more about Melia Azadirachta Leaf ExtractWater. 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
