What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid, Water, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Lactic Acid, Bisabolol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin
Salicylic Acid 0.5%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Hydroxypropyl Bis-Hydroxyethyldimonium Chloride
HumectantPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Phytic Acid
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientAllium Sativum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin Conditioning
Passiflora Incarnata Extract
AstringentSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingCamphor
Masking
Menthol
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Emulsifying
Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate
CleansingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melissa Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
SoothingCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Archangelica Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Echinacea Angustifolia Leaf Extract
MoisturisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Silica
Abrasive
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Kaolin
Abrasive
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzyl PCA
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Salicylic Acid 0.5%, Water, Glycerin, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Hydroxypropyl Bis-Hydroxyethyldimonium Chloride, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Phytic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Allium Sativum Bulb Extract, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Camphor, Menthol, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Polysorbate 80, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Melissa Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Angelica Archangelica Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Echinacea Angustifolia Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin, Silica, Palmitic Acid, Zinc PCA, Kaolin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Aminomethyl Propanol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl PCA, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineCurcuma Longa Root Extract is from the spice, turmeric. Besides being a healthy and delicious spice, turmeric also has plenty of skincare benefits. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-microbial properties.
Turmeric contains curcumin, an antioxidant. Antioxidants help neutralize unstable free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules may damage your skin's cells and DNA. Curcumin may help with anti-aging.
Curcumin also has anti-inflammatory properties and can help soothe skin and reduce irritation. On top of that, curcumin has been shown to help prevent hyperpigmentation from sun damage.
The anti-microbial property of turmeric can make it effective in treating acne. This property has also been shown to help regulate the production of sebum.
Learn more about Curcuma Longa Root ExtractEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 AcidChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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
