What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sulfur
Antiseborrhoeic
Triethanolamine
BufferingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Menthol
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Potassium Carbonate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Cestrum Latifolium Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Methylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Sulfur, Triethanolamine, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Acacia Senegal Gum, Potassium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Menthol, Parfum, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Potassium Carbonate, Caprylyl Glycol, Propanediol, Cestrum Latifolium Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Ceramide EOP
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Sulfur
Antiseborrhoeic
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Succinic Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Royal Jelly Protein
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Alcohol Denat., Propylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Niacinamide, Sulfur, Zinc Gluconate, Salicylic Acid, Succinic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Allantoin, Hydrolyzed Royal Jelly Protein, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Salicylic 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 AcidSulfur is a commonly occurring element on Earth (and our universe!). In cosmetics, it helps kill bacteria, reduces sebum, and provides exfoliation. This makes it an effective ingredient to reduce breakouts and fight acne.
As a ketayolytic agent, it breaks down the top layer of skin. This is a form of exfoliation and may help decrease acne and hyperpigmentation.
Studies show sulfur has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Sulfur can be drying if used excessively or at higher concentrations. We recommend speaking with a medical professional if you have any concerns.
Ancient Greece, India, China, and Egypt have used sulfur in both traditional medicines and for household use.
Learn more about SulfurWater. 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
