What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Kaolin
Abrasive
Diatomaceous Earth
Abrasive
Sodium Stearate
CleansingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Bifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Kaolin, Diatomaceous Earth, Sodium Stearate, Titanium Dioxide, Aluminum Hydroxide, Zinc Oxide, CI 77288, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Salicylic Acid, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chlorphenesin, Parfum, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSyzygium Luehmannii Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Kunzea Pomifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Water, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Gluconolactone, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Propylene Glycol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Hydroxide, Salicylic Acid, Glycerin, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit Extract, Syzygium Luehmannii Fruit Extract, Kunzea Pomifera Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSalicylic 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
