What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantBifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantVincetoxicum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Algin
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Oppositifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantFructose
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTromethamine
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Water, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Vincetoxicum Atratum Extract, Hydrolyzed Algin, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Dioscorea Oppositifolia Root Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Glucose, Allantoin, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Acetyl Glucosamine, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Caffeine, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tromethamine, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingWater
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating4-Terpineol
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Butylene Glycol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Betaine, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Allantoin, Panthenol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Carbomer, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, 4-Terpineol
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 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 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 EthylhexylglycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneThis 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 OilPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier.
It rounds up dirt, oil, and grime, so they can be rinsed off easily as a cleanser. On the emulsifier side, it keeps your formula smooth and well-mixed by playing peacekeeper for ingredients that don't naturally get along (like oil and water).
Because it has a C12 (lauric acid) fatty acid chain, this ingredient can potentially feed the Malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne. The Malassezia yeast prefers esters with C11-C24 fatty acids If you're prone to flare-ups, you might want to patch-test or skip this one.
This ingredient is an ester of lauric acid and Polyglycerin-10.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 LaurateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum