What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantBetaine Salicylate
AntimicrobialSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Watermelon Fruit Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningIpomoea Batatas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingLevulinic Acid
PerfumingSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Gluconolactone, Sodium Polyglutamate, Betaine Salicylate, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Lactobacillus/Watermelon Fruit Ferment Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Ipomoea Batatas Root Extract, Sorbitan Oleate, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentGlycerin
HumectantCucumis Sativus Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientSorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer
CleansingBetaine Salicylate
AntimicrobialMicrocitrus Australasica Fruit Extract
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelissa Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicAmber Powder
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePelargonium Graveolens Oil
MaskingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Glycerin, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water, Squalane, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Betaine Salicylate, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Oil, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Amber Powder, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Citronellol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Betaine Salicylate is considered a salicylic acid alternative.
Limited studies exist proving this ingredient to be a complete alternative to salicylic acid. Based on existing research, this ingredient does not penetrate as deeply and is not shown to be as effective.
However, this makes it a great choice for those with sensitive skin or need gentle BHA action.
This ingredient is created using betaine and salicylic acid.
This ingredient is oil-soluble and is most effective at a pH range of 3.8-4.2.
Learn more about Betaine SalicylateGlycerin (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 GlycerinSalix Alba Bark Extract comes from the bark of the white willow tree. The official CosIng listing states this ingredient to have astringent, skin conditioning, soothing, and tonic properties.
Its star compound is salicin, a natural glucoside that is chemically related to salicylic acid. That's why you'll often see it marketed as a "natural BHA alternative" but that's a bit of a stretch.
Your skin can't convert salicin to salicylic acid because it needs specific enzymes that aren't present on the skin's surface. It won't behave like true salicylic acid, especially at the concentrations used in cosmetics.
However, this ingredient has its own perks. It contains flavonoids, polyphenols, and tannins that give it proven antioxidant and soothing properties.
An 8-week clinical study found a cream with 2% of this extract improved skin microcirculation, elasticity, and dark circles. This is most likely due to its role in increasing hyaluronic acid synthesis in fibroblasts and improved vascular integrity.
Another study found a topical serum with 0.5% salicin showed improvements in visible signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, and texture.
Just be careful if you have a known aspirin/salicylate allergy and be sure to consult with a medical professional about using this ingredient if you do.
Fun fact: Willow Bark extract has been used for thousands of years and ancient civilizations used white willow to help treat pain and fevers.
Learn more about Salix Alba Bark Extract