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 ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingKaolin
Abrasive
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Lauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyquaternium-22
Parfum
Masking
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Onsen-Sui
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Volcanic Ash
Abrasive
Disodium EDTA
Propanediol
Solvent
Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Polyquaternium-10
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Myristic Acid, Lauric Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Kaolin, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Glycol Distearate, Palmitic Acid, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyquaternium-22, Parfum, Salicylic Acid, Silica, Onsen-Sui, Zinc PCA, Volcanic Ash, Disodium EDTA, Propanediol, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Madecassoside, Polyquaternium-10, Ethylhexylglycerin
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.
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 preservatives
Disodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl 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 StearateKaolin is a clay. It is used for oil control and to help minimize pores. Like other clays, kaolin has the ability to absorb excess sebum or oil. This can help clean out pores and mattify the skin.
Some types of kaolin may have exfoliating properties. When water is added to kaolin, it becomes a paste with small abrasive particles.
Most kaolin is a white color, but may be pink/orange/red depending on where it comes from.
The name 'kaolin' comes from a Chinese village named 'Gaoling'. Kaolin clay comes from rocks rich in kaolinite. Kaolinite, the mineral, has a silicate layered structure. Kaolinite is formed from chemical weathering of aluminum siilicate minerals.
Besides skincare, kaolin is commonly used to make glossy paper, in ceramics, toothpaste, and as medicine to soothe stomach issues.
Learn more about KaolinSalicylic 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 AcidSilica, 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
