What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningQuaternium-60
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Betaine Salicylate
Antimicrobial
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Water, Quaternium-60, Propylene Glycol, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Ceramide NP, Centella Asiatica Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Allantoin, Betaine Salicylate, Octyldodecanol, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Methylpropanediol
SolventC12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingGlucose
Humectant
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Dextrin
AbsorbentSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
Emulsifying
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Succinic Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Mentha Arvensis Extract
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningJuniperus Mexicana Oil
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract
AstringentPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Lactic Acid, Alcohol, Gluconolactone, Dipropylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, C12-14 Alketh-12, Glucose, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salicylic Acid, Dextrin, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Mentha Piperita Oil, Succinic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Mentha Arvensis Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Glycolic Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Reviews
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
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinButylene 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 ExtractCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract comes from the Tea Tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, Myrtaceae. This tea tree is native to Australia.
Tea Leaf extract contains antimicrobial and anti-acne properties.
This ingredient has perfuming properties and contains linalool and limonene. These fragrance and terpinen components can cause skin sensitivity.
Learn more about the benefits of Tea Tree Oil here.
Learn more about Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf 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
