What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantMenthyl Lactate
MaskingBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeParfum
MaskingBlue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycerin, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Beta-Glucan, Allantoin, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Menthyl Lactate, Benzophenone-4, Sodium Hydroxide, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Parfum, Blue 1 Lake
Water
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingAcetyl Octapeptide-3
HumectantCitrus Grandis Peel Extract
AstringentChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientFoeniculum Vulgare Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthoxydiglycol
HumectantMenthyl Lactate
MaskingTetrasodium EDTA
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeWater, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Citrus Grandis Peel Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Foeniculum Vulgare Seed Extract, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethoxydiglycol, Menthyl Lactate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone
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 GlycerinMenthyl lactate is an ester of menthol and lactic acid. It is often used as a cooling agent and fragrance.
When applied topically, this ingredient leaves a refreshing sensation like menthol, but is less irritating.
Methylchloroisothiazolinone, or MCI, is a synthetic preservative used to protect against the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and fungi in water-based products.
MCI is commonly combined with methylisothiazolinone (MI) in a 3:1 ratio.
This ingredient is safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-sensitizing and concentrations must not exceed 7.5 ppm in leave-on products / 15 ppm in rinse-off products.
Unfortunately, this ingredient has a well-documented sensitization story. Studies spanning several decades have shown this ingredient + MI to cause skin irritation and allergies.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
This just means this ingredient is most likely non-sensitizing in rinse-off products unless you've been diagnosed with a contact allergy to isothiazolinones.
Learn more about MethylchloroisothiazolinoneMI is a preservative and known skin irritant. In the past, MI was used for its ability to prevent bacteria, yeast, and fungi growth in low doses.
Nowadays, you'll most likely see MI combined with Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI).
Since then, numerous studies have shown this ingredient to cause contact dermatitis, or skin irritation.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
Learn more about MethylisothiazolinonePeg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is derived from castor oil and polyethylene glycol (PEG). It is used as a emollient and emulsifier.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps make the other ingredients more soluble; it is often used to solubilize fragrances. This increases spreadability and elongates shelf life in a product.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
This ingredient may or may not be vegan, depending on the source.
Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil may not be fungal-acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any questions or concerns.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilWe don't have a description for PPG-26-Buteth-26 yet.
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