What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyglyceryl-10 Caprylate/Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Propanediol
Solvent
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Vinegar
Water
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid 2%, Alcohol, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Azelaic Acid, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Coco-Glucoside, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Glyceryl Oleate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Lactic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-10 Caprylate/Caprate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Potassium Sorbate, Propanediol, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Vinegar, Water
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Peumus Boldus Leaf Extract
MaskingRheum Palmatum Root Extract
Astringent
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Salicylic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Panthenol, Peumus Boldus Leaf Extract, Rheum Palmatum Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol
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 GlycerinGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate comes from Capric Acid and Polyglycerin-4. It is an emulsifier.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. They do this by preventing ingredients from separating, such as oils and water which do not mix naturally.
Propanediol 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 AcidSalix Alba Bark Extract comes from the bark of the white willow tree. The official CosIng listing states this ingredient to have astringent, skin conditioning, soothing, and tonic properties.
Its star compound is salicin, a natural glucoside that is chemically related to salicylic acid. That's why you'll often see it marketed as a "natural BHA alternative" but that's a bit of a stretch.
Your skin can't convert salicin to salicylic acid because it needs specific enzymes that aren't present on the skin's surface. It won't behave like true salicylic acid, especially at the concentrations used in cosmetics.
However, this ingredient has its own perks. It contains flavonoids, polyphenols, and tannins that give it proven antioxidant and soothing properties.
An 8-week clinical study found a cream with 2% of this extract improved skin microcirculation, elasticity, and dark circles. This is most likely due to its role in increasing hyaluronic acid synthesis in fibroblasts and improved vascular integrity.
Another study found a topical serum with 0.5% salicin showed improvements in visible signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, and texture.
Just be careful if you have a known aspirin/salicylate allergy and be sure to consult with a medical professional about using this ingredient if you do.
Fun fact: Willow Bark extract has been used for thousands of years and ancient civilizations used white willow to help treat pain and fevers.
Learn more about Salix Alba Bark ExtractWater. 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
