What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Bentonite
Absorbent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emulsifying
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ceteth-10 Phosphate
CleansingDicetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCamphor
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantNiacinamide
Smoothing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Emulsifying
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
BHT
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid
Skin ConditioningSebacic Acid
Buffering1,10-Decanediol
SolventPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Isomerized Safflower Acid
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Benzalkonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Zinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Water, Kaolin, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Bentonite, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Alcohol Denat., Ethoxydiglycol, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polysorbate 60, Salicylic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Camphor, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, CI 77491, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Zinc PCA, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Maltodextrin, BHT, Polysorbate 80, 10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid, Sebacic Acid, 1,10-Decanediol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Isomerized Safflower Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Ascorbic Acid, Beeswax, Benzalkonium Chloride, Palmitic Acid, Silica, Zinc Sulfate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinSalicylic 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 AcidSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 WaterZinc PCA (or "zinc salt") differs slightly from zinc itself. PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid. However, Zinc PCA comes from zinc.
It can help reduce redness, regulate sebum, and promote the general healing process of the skin.
Zinc PCA tends to be especially useful for those with oily, acne-prone skin. It's certainly an ingredient worth trying out!
Learn more about Zinc PCA
