What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine Salicylate
Antimicrobial
Betaine
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Tromethamine
BufferingOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Papain
Skin Conditioning
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Juniperus Virginiana Oil
Masking
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Artemisia Vulgaris Oil
Perfuming
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine Salicylate, Betaine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tromethamine, Octyldodeceth-16, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Papain, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Beta-Glucan, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Salix Alba Bark Water
Astringent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine Salicylate
Antimicrobial
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Ethyl Hexanediol
SolventPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Limonene
Perfuming
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Pantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Salix Alba Bark Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine Salicylate, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethyl Hexanediol, Panthenol, Sodium Hydroxide, Allantoin, Limonene, Adenosine, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Water, Arginine, Pantothenic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Gluconolactone, Zinc PCA, Pentylene Glycol, Madecassoside, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Betaine Salicylate is considered a salicylic acid alternative.
Limited studies exist proving this ingredient to be a complete alternative to salicylic acid. Based on existing research, this ingredient does not penetrate as deeply and is not shown to be as effective.
However, this makes it a great choice for those with sensitive skin or need gentle BHA action.
This ingredient is created using betaine and salicylic acid.
This ingredient is oil-soluble and is most effective at a pH range of 3.8-4.2.
Learn more about Betaine SalicylateButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCapryloyl Salicylic Acid comes from salicylic acid, the famous acne-fighting BHA.
It usually goes by a more common name of LHA, or lipohydroxy acid.
Like salicylic acid, this ingredient is a chemical exfoliant that can help break down the oil in your pores and reduce inflammation.
Though studies for LHA do show it to be less effective than salicylic acid. To be fair, salicylic acid is the reigning monarch of acne treatments.
However, a study from 2009 found LHA to be comparable to BPO, making it a good alternative for people with sensitive skin. Another study of 14 patients found a significant decrease in comedones after using LHA.
Another pro of LHA? It is less irritating than salicylic acid due to its large molecule size.
Large molecules cannot penetrate skin as well, so they are gentler on the skin. LHA is much less penetrative than salicylic acid.
An in-vitro study (not done on a living organism) found only 6% of LHA penetrated past the statum corneum compared to 58% of salicylic acid. An in-vivo (done on a living organism) analysis revealed ~17% of LHA was still present in the top layer of skin after 4 days, versus ~9% of salicylic acid.
Interestingly, a study from 2008 found LHA comparable to another famous acid, glycolic acid.
This study found about 10% of LHA is as effective as 20-50% of glycolic acid in treating hyperpigmentation and fine-lines.
Hydroxy acids have been found to stimulate skin protein, lipids, and thermal thickening. This may have anti-aging benefits.
Learn more about Capryloyl Salicylic AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinWater. 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
