What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 3%
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDicetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCeteth-10 Phosphate
CleansingCyclomethicone
EmollientPEG-40 Stearate
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientLanolin Oil
EmollientMahonia Aquifolium Root Extract
AstringentSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhizic Acid
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativeButylparaben
MaskingEthylparaben
PreservativeIsobutylparaben
AntimicrobialPropylparaben
PreservativeBisabolol
MaskingMethyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid 3%, Water, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Zea Mays Starch, Persea Gratissima Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dicetyl Phosphate, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Cyclomethicone, PEG-40 Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Isopropyl Myristate, Lanolin Oil, Mahonia Aquifolium Root Extract, Sodium PCA, Sodium Hydroxide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycyrrhizic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Propylparaben, Bisabolol, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Allantoin, Panthenol
Salicylic Acid 2%
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantKaolin
AbrasiveZinc Sulfate
AntimicrobialBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Algin
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Biosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butylene Glycol, Kaolin, Zinc Sulfate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Algin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum
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 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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 HydroxideWater. 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 Water