What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventPropanediol
SolventHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingButylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantArginine
MaskingOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycine
BufferingGlutamic Acid
HumectantAspartic Acid
Masking4-Terpineol
MaskingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSodium Chloride
MaskingSerine
MaskingHistidine
HumectantAlanine
MaskingThreonine
Proline
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMagnesium Chloride
Calcium Chloride
AstringentWater, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methylpropanediol, Propanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Allantoin, Betaine, Trehalose, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Lactobacillus Ferment, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Carbomer, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Arginine, Octyldodeceth-16, Xanthan Gum, Glycine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, 4-Terpineol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Chloride, Serine, Histidine, Alanine, Threonine, Proline, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Magnesium Chloride, Calcium Chloride
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGlycine Soja Sterols
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCitrus Grandis Seed Extract
AstringentDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Carboxymethyl Hyaluronate
HumectantC12-13 Alkyl Glyceryl Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSoluble Proteoglycan
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningTripropylene Glycol
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glycine Soja Sterols, Ceramide NP, Citrus Grandis Seed Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Centella Asiatica Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Carboxymethyl Hyaluronate, C12-13 Alkyl Glyceryl Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Soluble Proteoglycan, Polyquaternium-51, Tripropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Hexylene Glycol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerGlycerin (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 GlycerinMelaleuca 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum