What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 1.8%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-1
EmollientGaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Glycerin
Humectant
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Salix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sambucus Nigra Fruit Juice
AstringentSpiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Salicylic Acid 1.8%, Water, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-1, Gaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Azelaic Acid, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Zinc PCA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Juice, Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Sodium Phytate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Stearate, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glyceryl Stearate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Retinal, Bakuchiol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Xanthan Gum, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Phytate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Salicylic Acid
Reviews
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 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.
Salicylic 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
