What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cocoglycerides
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Isononanoate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Tapioca Starch
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Decylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningIsobutylamido Thiazolyl Resorcinol
Bleaching
Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Carrageenan
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
Water, Alcohol Denat., Cetearyl Alcohol, Cocoglycerides, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Tapioca Starch, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Squalane, Salicylic Acid, Decylene Glycol, Isobutylamido Thiazolyl Resorcinol, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Carrageenan, Phenoxyethanol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Acrylates Copolymer
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid 0.5%
Masking
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAnhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Triethanolamine
BufferingWater, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Salicylic Acid 0.5%, Zinc PCA, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Xanthan Gum, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Disodium EDTA, Triethanolamine
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSalicylic 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 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
