This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMyristic Acid
CleansingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingStearic Acid
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantLauric Acid
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
SurfactantKaolin
AbrasiveNiacinamide
SmoothingParfum
MaskingMenthol
MaskingPotassium Cocoate
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
ChelatingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMenthyl Lactate
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingMentha Viridis Leaf Extract
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
AstringentWater, Glycerin, Myristic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Lauric Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-3 Distearate, Decyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Saccharide Isomerate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Kaolin, Niacinamide, Parfum, Menthol, Potassium Cocoate, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Menthyl Lactate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Mentha Viridis Leaf Extract, Sodium Citrate, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Betaine
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingPerlite
AbsorbentDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Chloride
MaskingVitis Vinifera Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningCI 47005
Cosmetic ColorantCI 61570
Cosmetic ColorantCI 74160
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientLinalool
PerfumingParfum
MaskingMethylparaben
PreservativeSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingCarrageenan
Tetrasodium EDTA
ChelatingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingMenthol
MaskingEthylcellulose
Hexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Coco-Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Perlite, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Water, CI 47005, CI 61570, CI 74160, CI 77492, Paraffinum Liquidum, Linalool, Parfum, Methylparaben, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Carrageenan, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Menthol, Ethylcellulose, Hexyl Cinnamal
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 GlycolMenthol 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 MentholParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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 PhenoxyethanolWater. 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