Skin science article
Nineless Breworks Hair Boost Tonic Versus Some By Mi Cica Peptide Anti Hair Loss Derma Scalp Tonic
Nineless Breworks Hair Boost Tonic Versus Some By Mi Cica Peptide Anti Hair Loss Derma Scalp Tonic What's inside Key Ingredients Benefits Concerns Ingredients Side-by-side Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract Water Alcohol 1,2-Hexanediol Butylene Glycol Polysorbat
Nineless Breworks Hair Boost Tonic Versus Some By Mi Cica Peptide Anti Hair Loss Derma Scalp Tonic
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Water
Alcohol
1,2-Hexanediol
Butylene Glycol
Polysorbate 80
Glycerin
Menthol
Arginine
Salicylic Acid
Panthenol
Ethylhexylglycerin
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Allantoin
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Alisma Orientale Tuber Extract
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract
Rosa Centifolia Flower Water
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Morus Alba Bark Extract
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Avena Sativa Protein Extract
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Water, Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 80, Glycerin, Menthol, Arginine, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Allantoin, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Alisma Orientale Tuber Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Avena Sativa Protein Extract
Alcohol Denat.
Tromethamine
Biotin
Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Mentha Viridis Extract
Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
Glycine Max Seed Extract
Nigella Sativa Seed Extract
Oryza Sativa Extract
Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract
Sesamum Indicum Sprout Extract
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Hydrolyzed Centella Asiatica Extract
Madecassoside
Madecassic Acid
Asiaticoside
Asiatic Acid
Leonurus Sibiricus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Artemisia Vulgaris Extract
Caprylyl Glycol
Water, Alcohol Denat., Menthol, Tromethamine, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Biotin, Butylene Glycol, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Mentha Viridis Extract, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Nigella Sativa Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract, Sesamum Indicum Sprout Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Leonurus Sibiricus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum
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Alternatives
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
Butylene 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.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Ethylhexylglycerin 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.
Houttuynia Cordata Extract is more commonly known as Heart Leaf, Fish Mint, or Chameleon plant.
The components found in Heart Leaf give it antioxidant, hydrating, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Heart Leaf is rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, and more. It also contains polysaccharides, the most common type of carbs in food.
Flavonoids have been shown to be effective antioxidants. They help neutralize free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are unstable molecules that may damage our skin cells and DNA. The flavonoids in Heart Leaf also help soothe the skin.
Polysaccharides are naturally found in our skin. They play a role in hydrating and repairing the top layer of skin. The polysaccharides in Heart Leaf help moisturize our skin.
Studies show decanoyl acetaldehyde, a component of Heart Leaf oil, is effective at killing bacteria.
The name 'Fish Mint' comes from the herb's natural fishy smell. Is is native to southeast Asia and used throughout the continent for traditional cooking and medicine.
Menthol 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.
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.
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Salicylic 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.
Water. 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!