What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Jojoba Oil
Abrasive
Zingiber Officinale Root Juice
Skin ConditioningCharcoal Powder
Abrasive
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Coco-Glucoside, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Juice, Charcoal Powder, CI 77499
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Acrylates Copolymer
Chondrus Crispus
Masking
C12-15 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract
Astringent
Polyquaternium-7
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingBenzalkonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberAgar
MaskingAlumina
Abrasive
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 60725
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polyethylene, Acrylates Copolymer, Chondrus Crispus, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Disodium EDTA, Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Polyquaternium-7, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Polysorbate 20, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Benzalkonium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Agar, Alumina, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Hydroxide, CI 15850, CI 16035, CI 60725, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineGlycerin (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 GlycerinSalicylic 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 AcidSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
