What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Laurocapram
Skin ConditioningGalla Rhois Gallnut Extract
Antimicrobial
Polyacrylate-13
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Triethanolamine
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Menthol
Masking
Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonol
Antioxidant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Camphor
Masking
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
Emollient
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Saposhnikovia Divaricata Root Extract
AntimicrobialPapain
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Albizia Julibrissin Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGastrodia Elata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Quaternium-73
Gentiana Scabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRheum Palmatum Root Extract
Astringent
Sarcosine
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientHydroxycinnamic Acid
Skin ConditioningRutin
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Water, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polysorbate 60, Propylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Stearate, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Panthenol, Cetyl Alcohol, Laurocapram, Galla Rhois Gallnut Extract, Polyacrylate-13, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Menthol, Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root Extract, Paeonol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyisobutene, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 20, Camphor, Sorbitan Isostearate, Salicylic Acid, Allantoin, Gluconolactone, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Sclerotium Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Saposhnikovia Divaricata Root Extract, Papain, Pentylene Glycol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Albizia Julibrissin Flower Extract, Gastrodia Elata Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Quaternium-73, Gentiana Scabra Root Extract, Capryloyl Glycine, Hexylene Glycol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Rheum Palmatum Root Extract, Sarcosine, Madecassoside, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Asiaticoside, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Glyceryl Caprylate, Hydroxycinnamic Acid, Rutin, Asiatic Acid, Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract, Madecassic Acid, Zinc PCA
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AllantoinGlycerin (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 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 OilPanthenol 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 PanthenolSalicylic 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, itβs 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
