What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Cocamide Mea
Emulsifying
Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCocamide Mipa
Emulsifying
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingArgania Spinosa Shell Powder
Abrasive
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Polyquaternium-10
PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
Surfactant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Charcoal Powder
Abrasive
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
CI 77000
Cosmetic ColorantCitronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Polyglycerin-10
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningSafflower Glucoside
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
Abrasive
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Pearl
Skin ConditioningAlteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Cocamide Mea, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Citrate, Cocamide Mipa, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Argania Spinosa Shell Powder, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Polyquaternium-10, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Propylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Charcoal Powder, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Butylene Glycol, CI 77000, Citronellol, Geraniol, Polyglycerin-10, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Safflower Glucoside, Hydroxycitronellal, CI 77499, Silica, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Pearl, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sorbic Acid, BHT, Parfum, Ceramide AP
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Arginine
Masking
Betaine
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Charcoal Powder
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingMethyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingZingiber Officinale Root Oil
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with several roles: it's a preservative, solvent, and mild fragrance component with a floral scent.
This ingredient has been deemed safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%, and up to 10% in hair dyes. You'll typically see 0.5-2% in most rinse-off or leave-on products.
As a preservative, it works by disrupting the membrane of microbial proteins. This helps keep bacteria and fungi from growing in your products.
The sensitization picture is actually quite assuring as well:of nearly 71,000 patients patch tested with benzyl alcohol, only 0.21% showed a positive reaction with most of them being weakly positive.
This led researchers to conclude that benzyl alcohol cannot be regarded as a significant contact allergen.
It is worth noting this ingredient is classified as one of the EU's regulated fragrance allergens and restricted to 1% in finished products.
Labels must also declare it in concentrations above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
At concentrations around 5%, localized redness and itching can appear as a direct irritant response and not as a true allergic reaction.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholCharcoal powder comes from grounded charcoal. Charcoal can originate from peat, bamboo, coal, wood, coconut shell, or petroleum.
This ingredient has absorbent properties, making it great at absorbing oil.
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, 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
