What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 1.5%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
Emulsifying
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
C15-19 Alkane
SolventPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Fucus Spiralis Extract
EmollientTetraselmis Chui Extract
EmollientRhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract
HumectantTasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Zinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialThymus Vulgaris Extract
Perfuming
Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Silybum Marianum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningVitex Agnus Castus Extract
AstringentHelianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Oryza Sativa Germ Extract
EmollientAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Phytate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium 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
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Biosaccharide Gum-1 is a sugar created by fermenting sorbitol (which usually comes from potato starch!). It is known for its soothing and moisturizing properties.
Manufacturer tests show this ingredient helped reduce irritation from lactic acid by almost half and kept skin hydrated long-term as a humectant
Beyond hydration, Biosaccharide Gum-1 gives formulas a silky, non-sticky feel.
This ingredient is gentle, versatile, and suitable for all skin types.
Fun fact: Similar sugars can be found naturally in fruits like apples and pears.
Learn more about Biosaccharide Gum-1Phenoxyethanol 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 PhenoxyethanolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSalicylic 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 Water
