Tree to Tub Thickening Biotin Caffeine Shampoo Versus Tree to Tub Thickening Biotin Caffeine Conditioner
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Sapindus Mukorossi Seed
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingPropylene Glycol Caprylate
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCholecalciferol
Niacinamide
SmoothingCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCucurbita Pepo Seed Oil
EmollientMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantSalvia Officinalis Leaf Water
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMenthol
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingPolyquaternium-67
Sapindus Mukorossi Seed, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Propylene Glycol Caprylate, Decyl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Biotin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Pantothenic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Cholecalciferol, Niacinamide, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Water, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Menthol, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Polyquaternium-67
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBrassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Skin ConditioningStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantSapindus Mukorossi Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialMenthol
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil Expressed
PerfumingPolyquaternium-10
Water, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Brassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Biotin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Phospholipids, Pantothenic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sapindus Mukorossi Peel Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sorbic Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Menthol, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil Expressed, Polyquaternium-10
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.
Aloe is packed with good stuff including Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are antioxidants, which help fight free-radicals and the damage they may cause. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice also contains sugars. These sugars come in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, and choline. These sugars are able to help bind moisture to skin.
It also contains minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceYou may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilAscorbyl Palmitate is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) made by combining it with palmitic acid.
It is able to blend easily into creams and oil-based formulas because it dissolves in oils rather than water.
As you may know, regular vitamin C is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and air. Ascorbyl Palmitate is more stable and degrades at a slower rate.
Research on whether it converts efficiently into active vitamin C once it's applied on your skin is still limited.
Some in-vitro studies suggest it may support collagen production, but it is not considered one of the stronger vitamin C derivatives, like:
Due to the palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Comedogenic studies have also shown this ingredient to have a rating of 2.
It's also worth keeping in mind that comedogenic and irritancy ratings are tested on individual ingredients, not finished formulas. The final product's formulation, concentration, and other ingredients all play a role in how something actually behaves on your skin.
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateBiotin is a B vitamin that is naturally produced by our bodies. It is also called Vitamin H.
Our bodies use biotin in the metabolism process. It also helps our bodies use enzymes and move nutrients around. A biotin deficiency can lead to brittle hair and nails.
More research is needed on applying biotin topically. However, taking biotin orally has been shown to help nourish the skin, hair, and nails. They play a role in forming skin-hydrating fatty acids.
Biotin is water-soluble. It can be found in foods such as fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, and meat. Vitamin H stands for "haar" and "haut". These are the German words for hair and skin.
Learn more about BiotinThis ingredient is more commonly known as the coffee bean from the Coffea Arabica tree. Besides being a delicious drink, coffee beans have a ton of skin benefits.
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract (CASE) has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and UV-protective properties. (It should not replace your sunscreen!)
CASE contains several ingredients that protect and soothe skin. These include caffeine, polysaccharides, sucrose, lipids, minerals, and proteins.
The star ingredient in coffee is caffeine.
Caffeine helps with anti-aging, antioxidant, and photo-protection.
How? It has been shown to block collagenase (~41%), elastase (~35%), and tyrosinase (~13%).
Collagenase and elastase are enzymes that break down collagen and elastin, respectively. Tyrosinase is the enzyme that controls melanin production.
Our skin creates melanin when exposed to UV as a defense mechanism.
It should be noted most studies looked at caffeine's ability to inhibit damage from UV-B rays.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is often dissolved using water, glycerin, and propanediol. The caffeine content of this ingredient is about 100 ppm.
Coffea Arabica is native to Ethiopia.
Learn more about Coffea Arabica Seed ExtractThis oil is derived from the leaves of Eucalyptus Globulus, a type of Eucalyptus tree native to Australia.
Though this oil shows antibacterial and antioxidant activity, it is also a known skin-irritant due to its fragrance components.
This 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 OilMenthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholPantothenic Acid is also known as Vitamin B5. It is a water-soluble vitamin with skin hydrating and soothing properties.
Research shows pantothenic acid help support the skin's natural barrier by improving moisture retention. This is why you'll likely find this ingredient in soothing products or formulations for sensitive skin.
Some studies have explored oral supplementation of pantothenic acid in the acne context and found it to help reduce blemishes over time.
Though oral and topical use are different, this research helps explain why vitamin B5 is often included in skincare routines aimed at keeping skin balanced and hydrated.
Learn more about Pantothenic AcidRetinyl palmitate is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the superstar class of anti-aging ingredients that include tretinoin and retinol.
This particular ingredient has had a bumpy year with its rise and fall in popularity.
First, Retinyl palmitate is created from palmitic acid and retinol. It is a retinol ester and considered one of the weaker forms of retinoid.
This is because all retinoids have to be converted to Tretinoin, AKA retinoic acid. Retinyl Palmitate is pretty far down the line and has to go through multiple conversions before its effects are seen.
Due to this long and ineffective conversion line, the benefits of Retinyl Palmitate are debated.
Studies show Retinyl Palmitate to help:
Dermatologists say this ingredient is ineffective because it isn't used in high enough concentrations in cosmetics.
This ingredient used to be found in sunscreens to boost the efficacy of sunscreen filters.
The downfall of Retinyl Palmitate was due to released reports about the ingredient being correlated to sun damage and skin tumors.
While there is a study showing this ingredient to cause DNA damage when exposed to UV-A, there is no concrete proof of it being linked to skin cancer. It is safe to use when used correctly.
All retinoids increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun in the first few months of usage. Be especially careful with reapplying sunscreen when using any form of retinoid.
Currently, this ingredient is still allowed in cosmetics all over the world. In Canada, cosmetics must have a warning label stating the product to contain Retinyl Palmitate
Fun fact: This ingredient is often added to low-fat milk to increase the levels of Vitamin A.
Learn more about Retinyl PalmitateSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract can be good for oily skin.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate