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 ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Agrimonia Eupatoria Extract
AstringentPropanediol
Solvent
Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract
MaskingLeontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract
Antioxidant
Silybum Marianum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Glycol
SolventHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Broussonetia Kazinoki Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Cimicifuga Dahurica Root Extract
Antioxidant
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Folic Acid
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Thiamine Hcl
MaskingBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantInositol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Lactate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Disodium EDTA, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Agrimonia Eupatoria Extract, Propanediol, Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Silybum Marianum Seed Extract, Benzyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Hyaluronate, Broussonetia Kazinoki Root Extract, Propolis Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cimicifuga Dahurica Root Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, Folic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Biotin, Pyridoxine, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Cyanocobalamin, Linoleic Acid, Thiamine Hcl, Beta-Carotene, Riboflavin, Inositol, Phenoxyethanol
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 OilPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Water. 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
