What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Alcohol Denat., Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate, CI 42090, CI 14700
Water
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingPropanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hieracium Umbellatum Extract
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Betaine
Humectant
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Arginine
Masking
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingRheum Palmatum Root Extract
Astringent
Artemisia Princeps Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethyl Sulfone
SolventLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hieracium Umbellatum Extract, Gluconolactone, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Glycolic Acid, Betaine, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Arginine, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Rheum Palmatum Root Extract, Artemisia Princeps Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Chlorphenesin, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, Dimethyl Sulfone, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Linalool, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 EthylhexylglycerinThis 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, itβs 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
