What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLaureth-1 Phosphate
Glycerin
Humectant
Lauryl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
SolventLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
PEG-160 Sorbitan Triisostearate
Cleansing
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Acanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Asparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Water, Laureth-1 Phosphate, Glycerin, Lauryl Phosphate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Glycol Distearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-160 Sorbitan Triisostearate, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Chloride, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Acanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Asparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Disiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialAbies Sibirica Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Juniperus Mexicana Oil
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
Masking
4-Terpineol
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Zinc Oxide, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dibutyl Adipate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dipropylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Niacinamide, Disiloxane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Titanium Dioxide, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Abies Sibirica Oil, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Butylene Glycol, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil, 4-Terpineol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Glycerin, Lactobacillus Ferment, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Ceramide NP
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 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 oil. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
According to the book Journal of Profiles of Drug Substances, tea tree helps in reducing acne-causing bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes. This is due to the Terpinen components of tea tree oil.
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).
This ingredient may cause sensitivity and irritation for some people. This oil naturally contains fragrance such as linalool and limonene.
However, research shows irritation usually occurs when using pure and undiluted tea tree oil, which is very different from tea tree oil formulated in skincare.
Tea tree oil is toxic when ingested. Another study showed it to caused damage to the nervous system of dogs and cats when applied to their skin or given orally.
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
