What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialWater
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantChlorophyllin-Copper Complex
AntioxidantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingZiziphus Jujuba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantHedera Helix Extract
AntimicrobialSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Flavescens Root Extract
AntioxidantCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingSaururus Chinensis Leaf/Root Extract
AntimicrobialPoncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract
AstringentPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantMethyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingEthyl Linalool
MaskingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingEthylene Brassylate
MaskingEucalyptol
PerfumingMethylenedioxyphenyl Methylpropanal
Perfuming2-T-Butylcyclohexyl Acetate
MaskingHexenyl Acetate
Masking3-Hexenol
Masking2,4-Dimethyl-3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Water, Propanediol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Niacinamide, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Beta-Glucan, Ceramide NP, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Stearyl Alcohol, Tromethamine, Allantoin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex, Decyl Glucoside, Ziziphus Jujuba Leaf Extract, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Hedera Helix Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Saururus Chinensis Leaf/Root Extract, Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyacetophenone, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Ethyl Linalool, Linalyl Acetate, Ethylene Brassylate, Eucalyptol, Methylenedioxyphenyl Methylpropanal, 2-T-Butylcyclohexyl Acetate, Hexenyl Acetate, 3-Hexenol, 2,4-Dimethyl-3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Didecene
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingTrehalose
HumectantHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising2,3-Butanediol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningSalvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingHyacinthus Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin ConditioningCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentBorago Officinalis Extract
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlutathione
Malachite Extract
AntioxidantGluconic Acid
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Didecene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Ectoin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Trehalose, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, 2,3-Butanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, C14-22 Alcohols, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Pentylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Caprylyl Methicone, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Disodium EDTA, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, Glutathione, Malachite Extract, Gluconic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin
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 GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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