What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 1%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingAllyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingSucrose
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantSalicylic Acid 1%, Water, Kaolin, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Silica, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Sucrose, Acetyl Glucosamine, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, CI 42090, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningTridecyl Stearate
Emollient
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingSorbitol
Humectant
Hexyldecyl Stearate
EmollientBisabolol
Antioxidant
Disodium Cocoamphodipropionate
CleansingTriethanolamine
BufferingOleth-10 Phosphate
SurfactantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Tridecyl Stearate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Silica, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Sorbitol, Hexyldecyl Stearate, Bisabolol, Disodium Cocoamphodipropionate, Triethanolamine, Oleth-10 Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Stearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Ā
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesĀ
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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
