What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 0.5%
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingOctyldodecanol
EmollientEthylhexyl Olivate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantErythritol
HumectantInulin
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingLavandula Hybrida Oil
EmollientCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingSalvia Sclarea Oil
MaskingHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningMorinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLeptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil
TonicPhaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract
HumectantMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialPiper Nigrum Seed Extract
RefreshingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantXylitol
HumectantSqualane
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLecithin
EmollientGlutamic Acid
HumectantPolyquaternium-80
CleansingDidecyldimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingMethylpropanediol
SolventSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic Acid
CleansingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingSalicylic Acid 0.5%, Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Octyldodecanol, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Glycerin, Erythritol, Inulin, Cetearyl Olivate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract, Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil, Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Piper Nigrum Seed Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Tocopherol, Xylitol, Squalane, Caprylyl Glycol, Lecithin, Glutamic Acid, Polyquaternium-80, Didecyldimonium Chloride, Methylpropanediol, Sorbitan Olivate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Caprylic Acid, Linalool, Limonene
Sulfur 5%
AntiseborrhoeicWater
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantLactic Acid
BufferingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingLavandula Hybrida Oil
EmollientLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingSalvia Sclarea Oil
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingPunica Granatum Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingMyristyl Myristate
EmollientBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolylysine
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentCeteareth-12
EmulsifyingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventThymol
AntimicrobialTerpineol
MaskingAlgin
MaskingCamphor
MaskingO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingSulfur 5%, Water, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Glycerin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydroxyacetophenone, Lactic Acid, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Myristyl Myristate, Beta-Glucan, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Glyceryl Stearate, Maltodextrin, Caprylyl Glycol, Polylysine, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Ceteareth-12, Titanium Dioxide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Thymol, Terpineol, Algin, Camphor, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitrus Limon Peel Oil is created from the peels of the lemon. It is used to add a lemon-scent to products. Lemon peel oil also has antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. However, it may also cause phototoxicity and sensitize skin.
Lemon peel oil contains limonene, a skin sensitizing ingredient. Another component is furanocoumarin, which induces phototoxicity in skin.
Furanocoumarins bind and destabilize your DNA to increase the rate of sunburn.
Most reputable companies will remove furanocoumarins from their formulations.
Learn more about Citrus Limon Peel OilGlycerin (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 GlycerinLavandula Angustifolia Oil is more commonly known as lavender essential oil. It is considered a fragrancing ingredient.
Lavender imparts a famous scent. While the smell is lovely, this ingredient and may sensitize skin in topical products. This is because about 85% of the oil is made up of linalool and linalyl acetate.
When exposed to air, these two compounds become strong allergens. This ingredient exhibits cytotoxicity at low concentrations; amounts of 0.25% have been shown to damage skin cells.
A study from Japan found this ingredient caused lavender sensitivity after widespread exposure.
Lavender essential oil has some antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the cons of this ingredient may outweight the pros.
More research is needed to confirm lavender essential oil's effects when used in aromatherapy.
Lavandula Angustifolia is known as the English Lavender and famous for creating purple fields in Provence, France.
Learn more about Lavandula Angustifolia OilLavandula Hybrida Oil is an oil.
Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.
It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.
One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.
This ingredient is also known as Sepimax Zen.
Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil is oil expressed from the leaves of the rosemary plant.
Rosemary Leaf Oil is a fragrance and helps give your product a scent. If you are sensitive to irritating fragrances, this one contains camphor. Camphor has been found to irritate skin.
This oil also contains antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. As an antioxidant, it may protect you skin against damage. This can help slow down the signs of aging.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf OilThis ingredient is more commonly known as clary sage essential oil.
The two main active components in clary sage essential oil are linalool and linalyl acetate.
A patch test is recommended before use, especially for sensitive skin. This ingredient should be diluted as part of a formulation and not applied directly.
Learn more about Salvia Sclarea OilSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted effects and reactions from a product. These metal ions may come from water and are found in miniscule amounts.
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate can also help other preservatives be more effective.
Water. 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