What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDiglycerin
HumectantIsopentyldiol
HumectantPolyglycerin-3
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
4-Terpineol
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentBrassica Oleracea Gemmifera Extract
AstringentBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentPrunus Domestica Fruit Extract
MoisturisingTrehalose
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientPCA
HumectantPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingArginine
MaskingGlycolic Acid
BufferingSalicylic Acid
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningColostrum
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCupressus Sempervirens Leaf Extract
PerfumingLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingGolden Extract
Myristic Acid
CleansingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Diglycerin, Isopentyldiol, Polyglycerin-3, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, 4-Terpineol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Brassica Oleracea Gemmifera Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract, Trehalose, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, PCA, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Arginine, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Allantoin, Colostrum, Disodium EDTA, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Golden Extract, Myristic Acid, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingVinyldimethicone
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningAllium Sativum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantDimethiconol
EmollientBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingFructan
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSalicylic Acid
MaskingBetaine Salicylate
AntimicrobialGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMadecassoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Ether, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Vinyldimethicone, Panthenol, Saccharomyces Ferment, Allium Sativum Bulb Extract, Caprylyl Methicone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Dimethiconol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Lauroyl Lysine, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Thiamine Hcl, Fructan, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Citric Acid, Salicylic Acid, Betaine Salicylate, Gluconolactone, Pantothenic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Silica, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Propolis Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 GlycolDisodium 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 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 OilSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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