What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 0.5%
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDecyl Glucoside
CleansingMenthyl Lactate
MaskingCocamidopropylamine Oxide
CleansingCocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Parfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingMethylparaben
PreservativeTetrasodium EDTA
Propylparaben
PreservativeBenzalkonium Chloride
AntimicrobialC12-15 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientEthylparaben
PreservativeVanillyl Butyl Ether
MaskingCetyl Lactate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingSarcosine
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
AntimicrobialCedrus Atlantica Bark Extract
PerfumingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid 0.5%, Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, PEG-150 Distearate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Phenoxyethanol, Decyl Glucoside, Menthyl Lactate, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Parfum, Citric Acid, Methylparaben, Tetrasodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Benzalkonium Chloride, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Ethylparaben, Vanillyl Butyl Ether, Cetyl Lactate, Butylene Glycol, Capryloyl Glycine, Sarcosine, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Salicylic Acid 2%
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingPEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate
Citric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
C12-15 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientBenzalkonium Chloride
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingCocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Glycerin
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Benzalkonium Chloride, Parfum, Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, CI 19140, CI 16035
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzalkonium Chloride is a preservative. It can cause irritation and worsen eczema.
We don't have a description for C12-15 Alkyl Lactate yet.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineWe don't have a description for Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate yet.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumPEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate isn't fungal acne safe.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
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, 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water