What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Triethanolamine
BufferingPolyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSilica
Abrasive
Disodium EDTA
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialThymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Stearic Acid, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Panthenol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingEuphrasia Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialHydroxypropylcellulose
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Malva Sylvestris Extract
AstringentTriethanolamine
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Achillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingAlchemilla Vulgaris Extract
AstringentAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Asparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingBisabolol
Antioxidant
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Primula Veris Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Veronica Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Stearate, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil, Dimethicone, Ceteareth-20, Euphrasia Officinalis Extract, Hydroxypropylcellulose, Benzyl Alcohol, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Triethanolamine, Potassium Sorbate, Alcohol Denat., Tocopherol, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Bisabolol, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Phospholipids, Primula Veris Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Veronica Officinalis Extract, CI 77891, Mica, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Chlorphenesin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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
