Chemist at Play Gentle Exfoliating Face Scrub Versus Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminating Salicylic Acid Daily Face Scrub
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantSodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingJuglans Regia Shell Powder
AbrasivePropylene Glycol
HumectantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingParfum
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLactobionic Acid
BufferingMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Pulp Powder
AbrasivePEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPerlite
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-45m
HumectantWater, Sorbitol, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Juglans Regia Shell Powder, Propylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Parfum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Lactobionic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, 1,2-Hexanediol, Euterpe Oleracea Pulp Powder, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Perlite, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-45m
Salicylic Acid 2%
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantSteareth-21
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingLinoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientMenthol
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingAgar
MaskingMica
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Cetyl Alcohol, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Polyethylene, Methyl Gluceth-20, Steareth-21, Coco-Glucoside, Steareth-2, Polysorbate 60, Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Menthol, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Agar, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77492, CI 15850, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum