What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Citrate
BufferingCeteareth-20
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantGlycolic Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Niacinamide
SmoothingCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveBenzoyl Peroxide 2.5%, Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Sodium Citrate, Ceteareth-20, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Niacinamide, Ceramide Ng, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Salicylic Acid 2%
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Propylene Glycol
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingC12-15 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientPEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate
Disodium EDTA
Benzalkonium Chloride
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Propylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate, Disodium EDTA, Benzalkonium Chloride, Parfum, CI 19140, CI 16035
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Disodium 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 EDTASodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a surfactant that helps water and oil mix so that dirt, sweat, sebum, and sunscreen can rinse away easily. It's not technically a sulfate, but behaves similarly in formulas.
What it does:
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a strong cleansing surfactant and is much stronger than many mild cleansers. Because it works deeply, it can disrupt the skin's barrier. This can lead to dryness or irritation for those with sensitive skin.
Compared to gentler surfactants, it's effective but more likely to dry or irritate if not balanced with soothing ingredients.
CIR considers sodium α-olefin sulfonates (including C14-16) to be safe for use in rinse-off products when properly formulated. It is poorly absorbed through normal skin but absorption increases if the skin barrier is already damaged.
Learn more about Sodium C14-16 Olefin SulfonateWater. 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