What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Propanediol
SolventAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialWater
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingBetaine
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialKjellmaniella Gyrata Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Disodium EDTA, Propanediol, Alcohol Denat., Water, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Kjellmaniella Gyrata Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantIsopentyldiol
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningVitex Agnus Castus Extract
AstringentChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingSqualane
EmollientChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Isopentyldiol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butylene Glycol, C12-14 Pareth-12, Octyldodeceth-16, Sodium Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Vitex Agnus Castus Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Squalane, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Polyquaternium-51, Ceramide NP, Gluconolactone, Madecassoside
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.
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 preservatives
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 GlycolCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractCentella 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 ExtractDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 OilThis extract comes from Purslane, a succulent. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hydrating properties.
Purslane is very nutritious. It contains omega-3 fatty acids, NMFs, many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The vitamins found in purslane include: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E.
Fun fact: Purslane is a succulent with an extensive habitat. It is used in traditional Korean medicine to treat irritated skin.
Nowadays, purslane is becoming a superfood due to its highly nutritious content.
Learn more about Portulaca Oleracea ExtractWater. 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