What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Calamine
AbsorbentCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Dimethyl Sulfone
SolventGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Camphor
Masking
Salicylic Acid
Masking
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentPrunus Serotina Fruit Extract
MaskingCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Illicium Verum Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Alcohol, Glycerin, Calamine, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Zinc Oxide, Dimethyl Sulfone, Glycolic Acid, Camphor, Salicylic Acid, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Silica, Caprylyl Glycol, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Calamine
AbsorbentGlycerin
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Sapindus Trifoliatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
Masking
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentCymbopogon Citratus Extract
Skin ConditioningMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGuaiazulene
Antimicrobial
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentSalicylic Acid
Masking
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Trideceth-10
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Alcohol Denat., Calamine, Glycerin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Madecassoside, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sapindus Trifoliatus Fruit Extract, Camellia Japonica Seed Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Cymbopogon Citratus Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Guaiazulene, Panthenol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trideceth-10, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 GlycolCalamine is a "pink powder" that is used to calm itchy or irritated skin. In official medical standards, calamine is basically almost all zinc oxide with a tiny bit of iron oxide added for the pink color.
Lab testing requires that it’s at least 98% zinc oxide, which just means it has to be very pure and mostly zinc oxide.
In skincare, calamine can help relieve itches, calm skin, and absorb excess moisture/oil. This is why you'll often see it used for oozing rashes. Calamine is approved as a skin protectant active at 1-25% in US OTC drug products.
A big part of calamine's soothing effect comes from zinc oxide's protective properties. Since calamine can absorb excess moisture/oil, it might be drying for already dry skin types.
A review of topical medicament allergies notes that contact dermatitis from calamine isn't typically reported, but added actives in a formulation are known sensitizers.
Learn more about CalamineCentella 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 tea tree oil comes from the leaves of the Tea Tree plant. Tea tree oil 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.
Tea tree 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 tea tree oil and not in cosmetic products.
Tea tree oil was found to help relieve the symptoms of psoriasis in one study.
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 OilPeg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil comes from hydrogenated castor oil. It is a solubilizer and emulsifier.
As a solubilizer, it helps dissolve ingredients into a water-based version. It is also an emulsifer. Emulsifier help prevent oils and water from separating. Both these properties help create evenly-spread and uniform products.
Basically, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil helps hold ingredients together.
Learn more about PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor OilWe don't have a description for Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract yet.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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
