What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMyristic Acid
CleansingLauric Acid
CleansingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingStearic Acid
CleansingLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlycol Distearate
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentMenthol
MaskingSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingTorreya Nucifera Seed Oil
EmollientLimonene
PerfumingJuniperus Communis Fruit Oil
MaskingPinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil
MaskingJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantifolia Oil
CleansingDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingArtemisia Vulgaris Oil
PerfumingSalicylic Acid
MaskingPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
AstringentCupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Nut/Stem Oil
EmollientWater, Glycerin, Myristic Acid, Lauric Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycol Distearate, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Coco-Glucoside, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Decyl Glucoside, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Menthol, Sodium Metaphosphate, Torreya Nucifera Seed Oil, Limonene, Juniperus Communis Fruit Oil, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Linalool, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Salicylic Acid, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Nut/Stem Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingSorbitol
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingNiacinamide
SmoothingAzelaic Acid
BufferingZinc PCA
HumectantDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingOryza Sativa Cera
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ag
HumectantPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningSphingolipids
EmollientCellulose
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Menthol
MaskingCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sorbitol, Salicylic Acid, Glycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Centella Asiatica Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 80, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Niacinamide, Azelaic Acid, Zinc PCA, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Oryza Sativa Cera, Ceramide Ag, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Cellulose, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Menthol, CI 14700, CI 15985
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Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinMenthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholSalicylic 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 AcidSalix 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 ExtractWater. 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