What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Laurate
Emollient
PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate
Castoryl Maleate
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Eucalyptus Citriodora Oil
Masking
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Glycol Distearate, Glyceryl Laurate, PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate, Castoryl Maleate, Sodium Benzoate, PEG-150 Distearate, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Glycolic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Citriodora Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Glutamate
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsomalt
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing
Arginine
Masking
Sodium Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Cleansing
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Agave Americana Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
CI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycerin, Sodium Glutamate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Isomalt, Niacinamide, Arginine, Sodium Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Potassium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Agave Americana Stem Extract, Dextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Parfum, Butylene Glycol, Ceramide As, Ethylhexylglycerin, Retinol, Adenosine, Lactic Acid, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, CI 77007
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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, itβs 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
