What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 1.5%
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCoconut Alkanes
EmollientCoco-Caprylate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCandelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
EmulsifyingTranexamic Acid
AstringentHexyl Laurate
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientC15-19 Alkane
SolventPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningBakuchiol
AntimicrobialFucus Spiralis Extract
EmollientTetraselmis Chui Extract
EmollientRhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract
HumectantTasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
AntioxidantAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningZinc Sulfate
AntimicrobialMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSilybum Marianum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningVitex Agnus Castus Extract
AstringentHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentOryza Sativa Germ Extract
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Phytate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialSalicylic Acid 1.5%, Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Lactobacillus Ferment, Coconut Alkanes, Coco-Caprylate, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Tranexamic Acid, Hexyl Laurate, Glycine Soja Oil, C15-19 Alkane, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Bakuchiol, Fucus Spiralis Extract, Tetraselmis Chui Extract, Rhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Zinc Sulfate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Silybum Marianum Seed Extract, Vitex Agnus Castus Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Oryza Sativa Germ Extract, Allantoin, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Levulinate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Anisate
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLauric Acid
CleansingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveEpilobium Angustifolium Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Cetyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sorbitan Stearate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lauric Acid, Allantoin, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Salicylic 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, itβs 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