What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAlcohol
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
SmoothingTrehalose
HumectantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingTranexamic Acid
AstringentLactobionic Acid
BufferingZinc PCA
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhytic Acid
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingDenatonium Benzoate
MaskingSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Propanediol, Alcohol, Niacinamide, Trehalose, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Tranexamic Acid, Lactobionic Acid, Zinc PCA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Phytic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Denatonium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPropanediol
SolventLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin ConditioningVinegar Extract
EmollientSea Salt Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion StabilisingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantStyrax Tonkinensis Resin Extract
PerfumingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHypochlorous Acid
AntiseborrhoeicHyaluronic Acid
HumectantCoriandrum Sativum Fruit/Leaf Extract
AntiseborrhoeicCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract
RefreshingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMineral Salts
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSucrose
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Centella Asiatica Extract, Propanediol, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Extract, Vinegar Extract, Sea Salt Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol, Styrax Tonkinensis Resin Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hypochlorous Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Coriandrum Sativum Fruit/Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Mineral Salts, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sucrose, Sodium Citrate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolWater. 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