This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.
This acne toner is formulated around Gluconolactone and Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Cocoyl Argininamide
Skin Conditioning
Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-13
Skin Conditioning
Pistacia Lentiscus Gum
MaskingLecithin
Emollient
Oligopeptide-8
Antimicrobial
Echinacea Angustifolia Meristem Cell Culture
Skin ConditioningSyringa Vulgaris Leaf Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf
Masking
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Zingiber Zerumbet Extract
Skin ConditioningEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentThymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrastis Canadensis Extract
MaskingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Malva Sylvestris Extract
AstringentMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Symphytum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAlchemilla Vulgaris Extract
AstringentHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Antioxidant
Achillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingPrimula Veris Extract
Skin ConditioningVeronica Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningArctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Morus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Halidrys Siliquosa Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycosaminoglycans
EmollientAcetyl Carboxymethyl Cocoyl Glycine
Chelating
Tocopheryl Linoleate/Oleate
Antioxidant
Phytic Acid
Chelating
Lauryl Betaine
CleansingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Menthol
Masking
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingSodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Glycerin, Cocoyl Argininamide, Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-13, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Lecithin, Oligopeptide-8, Echinacea Angustifolia Meristem Cell Culture, Syringa Vulgaris Leaf Cell Culture Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Beta-Glucan, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Zingiber Zerumbet Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Hydrastis Canadensis Extract, Allantoin, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Symphytum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Bisabolol, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Primula Veris Extract, Veronica Officinalis Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Halidrys Siliquosa Extract, Glycosaminoglycans, Acetyl Carboxymethyl Cocoyl Glycine, Tocopheryl Linoleate/Oleate, Phytic Acid, Lauryl Betaine, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Alcohol, Lactic Acid, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Menthol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide
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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSalicylic 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 AcidSalix Alba Bark Extract comes from the bark of the white willow tree. The official CosIng listing states this ingredient to have astringent, skin conditioning, soothing, and tonic properties.
Its star compound is salicin, a natural glucoside that is chemically related to salicylic acid. That's why you'll often see it marketed as a "natural BHA alternative" but that's a bit of a stretch.
Your skin can't convert salicin to salicylic acid because it needs specific enzymes that aren't present on the skin's surface. It won't behave like true salicylic acid, especially at the concentrations used in cosmetics.
However, this ingredient has its own perks. It contains flavonoids, polyphenols, and tannins that give it proven antioxidant and soothing properties.
An 8-week clinical study found a cream with 2% of this extract improved skin microcirculation, elasticity, and dark circles. This is most likely due to its role in increasing hyaluronic acid synthesis in fibroblasts and improved vascular integrity.
Another study found a topical serum with 0.5% salicin showed improvements in visible signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, and texture.
Just be careful if you have a known aspirin/salicylate allergy and be sure to consult with a medical professional about using this ingredient if you do.
Fun fact: Willow Bark extract has been used for thousands of years and ancient civilizations used white willow to help treat pain and fevers.
Learn more about Salix Alba Bark ExtractWater. 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
