This acne exfoliator is formulated around Perlite and Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and refine the look of pores.
This acne exfoliator is formulated around Sulfur and Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMyristic Acid
CleansingStearic Acid
CleansingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantLauric Acid
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientPerlite
AbsorbentGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientOlive Oil PEG-7 Esters
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantPolyquaternium-7
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
SmoothingParfum
MaskingMenthol
MaskingPEG-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydrated Silica
AbrasiveHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMenthyl Lactate
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingTrideceth-9
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCI 74260
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Myristic Acid, Stearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Lauric Acid, Decyl Glucoside, Glycol Distearate, Perlite, Glyceryl Stearate, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Allantoin, Salicylic Acid, Saccharide Isomerate, Polyquaternium-7, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Niacinamide, Parfum, Menthol, PEG-3 Distearate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrated Silica, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Microcrystalline Wax, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Menthyl Lactate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Trideceth-9, Polysorbate 20, CI 74260, CI 77289, CI 19140, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingMyristic Acid
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPEG-400
Emulsion StabilisingCocamide DEA
EmulsifyingTriethanolamine
BufferingSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingSulfur
AntiseborrhoeicSalicylic Acid
MaskingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantDiazolidinyl Urea
PreservativeXylitylglucoside
HumectantMethylparaben
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingAnhydroxylitol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientXylitol
HumectantCI 47005
Cosmetic ColorantCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPropylparaben
PreservativeCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantGlucose
HumectantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Myristic Acid, Glycerin, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, PEG-400, Cocamide DEA, Triethanolamine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sulfur, Salicylic Acid, Synthetic Wax, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Xylitylglucoside, Methylparaben, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Anhydroxylitol, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Xylitol, CI 47005, Cellulose Gum, Propylparaben, CI 42090, Glucose, CI 77499
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ci 42090 is a synthetic dye created from petroleum. It is used to give a bright blue color to cosmetics, medicine, and food.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinMyristic Acid, aka tetradecanoic acid, is a naturally occurring fatty acid found in coconut oil and palm oil.
In skincare, it is an:
Research indicates that this ingredient posts a low risk of irritation and sensitization.
Since myristic acid is a C14 fatty acid, it falls within the range that Malassezia can metabolize, and therefore not fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Myristic AcidParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSalicylic 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 AcidStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic 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