This salicylic acid cream cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.
This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingPropanediol
SolventStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCoco-Glucoside
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingBetaine
HumectantGlyceryl Laurate
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingAcrylates Copolymer
Salicylic Acid, Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Propanediol, Stearyl Alcohol, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Betaine, Glyceryl Laurate, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Benzoate, Saccharide Isomerate, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Potassium Sorbate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Acrylates Copolymer
Salicylic Acid 2%
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingLactic Acid
BufferingCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantSorbeth-230 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
ChelatingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingNiacinamide
SmoothingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingSorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Lactic Acid, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Glycerin, Sorbeth-230 Tetraoleate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Niacinamide, Decyl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Sorbitan Laurate, Propanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
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Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.
It is used to enhance the texture of products by boosting lather and thickening the texture. As a cleanser, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is mild.
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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSalicylic 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 AcidTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
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!
Learn more about Water