What's inside

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Show highlights for:

Salicylic Acid 2%

Masking
BHA IconPreservative IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Water

Skin Conditioning

Alcohol Denat.

Antimicrobial
Alcohol IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Hamamelis Virginiana Water

Astringent
Can worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Dimethyl Isosorbide

Solvent

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Potassium Hydroxide

Buffering

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Carnitine Hcl

Humectant

Gluconolactone

Skin Conditioning
PHA IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps brighten skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Skin Texture Icon

Phytic Acid

AHA IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps brighten skin IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Skin Texture IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Glycolic Acid

Buffering
AHA IconExfoliant IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps brighten skin IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Skin Texture IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Bisabolol

Masking
Helps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Vitex Agnus-Castus Extract

Astringent

Ganoderma Lucidum Extract

Skin Protecting

Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness Icon

Tetrahydrocurcumin

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Glutathione

Good for Dark Spots Icon

Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate

Skin Conditioning
Azelaic Acid IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Farnesol

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

Antimicrobial
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Pantothenate

Retinol

Skin Conditioning
Retinoid IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps brighten skin IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Skin Texture IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Niacinamide

Smoothing
Niacinamide IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps brighten skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Saccharide Isomerate

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Ferulic Acid

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps reduce Skin Redness Icon

Glyceryl Stearate

Emollient
1 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Mannitol

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Sh-Oligopeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness Icon

Centella Asiatica Extract

Cleansing
Helps with Anti-Aging IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Phospholipids

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Soy Isoflavones

Skin Conditioning

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract

Masking
Helps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Zinc PCA

Humectant
Zinc IconHelps fight Acne IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Allantoin

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Ethoxydiglycol

Humectant
0 / 0

Stearic Acid

Cleansing
2-3 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconHelps brighten skin IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Skin Texture IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sodium Citrate

Buffering

Calcium Gluconate

Humectant

Potassium Gluconate

Skin Protecting

Cyclodextrin

Absorbent

Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract

Astringent

Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract

Masking
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation Icon

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Reviews

5.00
Overall rating
5
4
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1
What people say
Works Well 100% Drying 50% Great Value 50%
3.00
Overall rating
5
4
3
2
1
What people say
Doesn't Work 50%

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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 Glycol
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin
Astringent, Skin Conditioning, Soothing

Hamamelis Virginiana Water is made by distilling parts of the witch hazel plant. You can also call this ingredient "witch hazel water".

The name 'Hamamelis Virginiana Water' refers to the distillation product used in cosmetics. On the other hand, 'Witch Hazel' refers to the active drug ingredient.

Unless it is specified to be non-alcohol, many types of witch hazel ingredients are distilled in denatured alcohol.

Witch Hazel water is an astringent, anti-inflammatory antioxidant, and antibacterial ingredient.

It contains tannins. Tannins have a drying effect when used on skin by constricting proteins. The constriction also minimizes the appearance of pores.

Both the tannins and fragrance found in witch hazel may be skin-sensitizing.

Witch hazel water gets anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties from its catechin and gallic acid content.

Indigenous groups have used witch hazel to help treat inflammation in North America for centuries.

Learn more about Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning

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 Acid
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

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