What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantBentonite
AbsorbentCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingCharcoal Powder
AbrasiveRheum Palmatum Root Extract
AstringentZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMannitol
HumectantSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Kaolin, Glycerin, Bentonite, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Salicylic Acid, Charcoal Powder, Rheum Palmatum Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Mannitol, Sorbitan Stearate, Citric Acid, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Polysorbate 60, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGlycolic Acid
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Propanediol
SolventPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningCarrageenan
Malpighia Glabra Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningMalpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningRaphanus Sativus Root Extract
AstringentLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentOleth-20
CleansingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberSodium Phytate
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Parfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Propanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Carrageenan, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Juice, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Raphanus Sativus Root Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus, Maltodextrin, Oleth-20, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Sodium Phytate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, CI 16035
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.
It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.
One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.
Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Salicylic 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water