What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientHydrogenated Rapeseed Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingBrassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingEmblica Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientCurcumin
AntioxidantLactobacillus/Kelp Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPorphyridium Cruentum Extract
Skin ConditioningFucoxanthin
Skin ConditioningAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Glyceryl Oleate, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Squalane, Xanthan Gum, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Cellulose Gum, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Curcumin, Lactobacillus/Kelp Ferment Filtrate, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Fucoxanthin, Astaxanthin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingPalmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantSorbic Acid
PreservativeC10-18 Triglycerides
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeResveratrol
AntioxidantCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialUbiquinone
AntioxidantEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Tocopherol
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Extract
AntioxidantPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
CleansingWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Cetearyl Alcohol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine, Glyceryl Stearate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium PCA, Sorbic Acid, C10-18 Triglycerides, Xanthan Gum, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Resveratrol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Citric Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ubiquinone, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateIsopropyl Palmitate is a texture enhancer and emollient. It is an ester of isopropyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
Palmitates are emollients. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by creating a barrier that traps moisture in.
When added to cosmetics, Isopropyl Palmitate creates a silky texture and improves spreadability.
Isopropyl Palmitate may not be fungal acne safe. It can worsen acne prone skin.
Learn more about Isopropyl PalmitatePhenethyl Alcohol is a colorless and aromatic alohol. It is naturally occuring in essential oils.
The scent of this ingredient is floral and often compared to rose.
Like other alcohols, this ingredient helps prevent the growth of bacteria. However, its main purpose is to impact a fragrance.
Learn more about Phenethyl AlcoholTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum