What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Citric Acid
Buffering
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Epilobium Fleischeri Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether
EmulsifyingCoceth-7
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Citrus Grandis Seed Extract
Astringent
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientPolydextrose
HumectantDextrin
AbsorbentAmylopectin
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Coumarin
Perfuming
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Zinc PCA, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Citric Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Epilobium Fleischeri Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, Coceth-7, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Citrus Grandis Seed Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Polydextrose, Dextrin, Amylopectin, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Parfum, Coumarin
Salicylic Acid 1%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Isoceteth-20
EmulsifyingEthoxydiglycol
HumectantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil
Masking
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Citrus Reticulata Leaf Oil
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Salicylic Acid 1%, Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Hexylene Glycol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Citrus Reticulata Leaf Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Beta-Sitosterol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Geraniol, Citronellol, Coumarin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Coumarins are a group of substances found naturally in plants. There are over 1300 types of coumarins identified. It has a natural vanilla scent.
Coumarin is an identified EU known allergy, meaning it may cause an allergic reaction when applied to the skin.
In many countries, coumarin is banned as a food additive. However, it can be found in soaps, tobacco products, and some alcohol drinks.
Plants use coumarins as a chemical defense. Some plants that have coumarins include lavender, tonka beans, and yellow clovers.
Learn more about CoumarinEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
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 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 HydroxideTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
