What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
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
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Kaolin
Abrasive
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingCalamine
AbsorbentCamphor
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Colloidal Sulfur
AntimicrobialSalicylic Acid
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Camellia Sinensis Polyphenols
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Acer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil
Astringent
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingBentonite
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Isopropyl Alcohol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Kaolin, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Calamine, Camphor, Glycerin, Zinc Oxide, Colloidal Sulfur, Salicylic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Niacinamide, Camellia Sinensis Polyphenols, Tocopherol, Linolenic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Acer Saccharum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil, Acacia Senegal Gum, Bentonite, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Calamine 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 CalamineCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract is more commonly known as the bitter orange. Native to Southeast Asia, this extract is commonly found in both cosmetics and foods.
The bitter orange possesses antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
It can also be mildly exfoliating due to the citric acid, an AHA.
Citrus fruits are rich in flavonoids, alkaloids, and vitamin C.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit ExtractGlycerin (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.
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 OilSalicylic 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
