What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Cocamide Mea
EmulsifyingCoco-Betaine
CleansingLaureth-5 Carboxylic Acid
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Cocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Argania Spinosa Shell Powder
Abrasive
Prunus Armeniaca Seed Powder
Abrasive
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
Masking
Menthol
Masking
Polyquaternium-10
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Limonene
Perfuming
Squalane
Emollient
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Artemisia Umbelliformis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Glycerin, Cocamide Mea, Coco-Betaine, Laureth-5 Carboxylic Acid, Acrylates Copolymer, Cocamide Mipa, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Argania Spinosa Shell Powder, Prunus Armeniaca Seed Powder, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Menthol, Polyquaternium-10, Isopropyl Myristate, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Propylene Glycol, Limonene, Squalane, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool, Citronellol, Citral, Geraniol, Artemisia Umbelliformis Flower Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCellulose Acetate
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCoconut Alkanes
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Emollient
Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Juice Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
PCA
Humectant
Alanine
MaskingArginine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Histidine
Humectant
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
Masking
Proline
Skin ConditioningSerine
Masking
Threonine
Valine
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Cellulose Acetate, Glycolic Acid, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Coconut Alkanes, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Lactic Acid, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Salicylic Acid, Sodium PCA, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, PCA, Alanine, Arginine, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Valine, Citric Acid, Aspartic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Propanediol, Zinc Oxide, Polysorbate 60, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Hexylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHexylene Glycol is a surfactant. Glycols are a class of alcohols. Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, Hexylene Glycol helps gather dirt and oil on your skin to be washed away.
As an emulsifier, Hexylene Glycol helps keep water and oil together. This prevents them from separating in a product. Hexylene Glycol also thins out the texture of a product by lessening viscosity.
Hexylene Glycol has a small molecular weight.
Learn more about Hexylene 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 AcidSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
