What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientAmmonium Lactate
BufferingPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientZea Mays Oil
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBehentrimonium Methosulfate
SurfactantDimethicone
EmollientMethylparaben
PreservativeSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholecalciferol
Cholesterol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Propylparaben
PreservativeHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid, Water, Glycerin, Paraffinum Liquidum, Triethanolamine, Glyceryl Stearate, Ammonium Lactate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Zea Mays Oil, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Dimethicone, Methylparaben, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholecalciferol, Cholesterol, Disodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycolic Acid
BufferingMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingHexanoyl Dipeptide-3 Norleucine Acetate
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPhytic Acid
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Lactic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycolic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Salicylic Acid, Calcium Gluconate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Hexanoyl Dipeptide-3 Norleucine Acetate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Lecithin, Niacinamide, Phytic Acid, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Phosphate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
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 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, 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 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