What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 0.5%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
PPG-10 Cetyl Ether
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Phenylpropyl Dimethicone
Arachidyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Isoceteth-20
Emulsifying
Polyacrylamide
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid 0.5%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Methyl Gluceth-20, PPG-10 Cetyl Ether, Bis-Phenylpropyl Dimethicone, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Glycerin, Isoceteth-20, Polyacrylamide, Cetearyl Glucoside, Arachidyl Glucoside, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Parfum, Laureth-7, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Pyrus Malus Juice
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Achillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
Astringent
Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract
MoisturisingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Zea Mays Germ Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Juice
MoisturisingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract
Masking
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Hydrolyzed Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum
AbsorbentCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningInulin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Undecane
EmollientTridecane
Perfuming
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Methylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tropolone
Skin ConditioningHeptyl Glucoside
Propanediol
Solvent
Citric Acid
Buffering
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Citrus Limon Juice
Skin Conditioning
Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEmblica Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAdansonia Digitata Fruit Extract
EmollientMyrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Water
Masking
Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Pyrus Malus Juice, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Zea Mays Germ Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Water, Prunus Armeniaca Juice, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Stearic Acid, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Hydrolyzed Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Inulin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Salicylic Acid, Undecane, Tridecane, Cetearyl Glucoside, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tropolone, Heptyl Glucoside, Propanediol, Citric Acid, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Juice, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract, Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Cocos Nucifera Water, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Maltodextrin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCetearyl Glucoside is a surfactant and emulsifier. It can be produced from synthetic of natural sources of cetearyl alcohol and glucose.
Emulsifiers help prevent ingredients from separating, such as oils and waters. It can also be used to enhance the texture of products.
As a surfactant, Cetearyl Glucoside helps during the cleansing process. By gathering all the dirt and oils, it allows these molecules to be washed away easily.
Learn more about Cetearyl GlucosideCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
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 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
