What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningSd Alcohol 40-B
Astringent
Glycerin
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Rhizome/Root
EmollientLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Spiraea Ulmaria Extract
AstringentCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Sd Alcohol 40-B, Glycerin, Sorbitol, Sodium PCA, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Rhizome/Root, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Propanediol
Solvent
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Poloxamer 184
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingUrea
Buffering
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Propanediol, Salicylic Acid, Poloxamer 184, Benzyl Alcohol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Urea, Dehydroacetic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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, 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.
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
