What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 3%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dicetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCeteth-10 Phosphate
CleansingCyclomethicone
Emollient
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Lanolin Oil
Emollient
Mahonia Aquifolium Root Extract
AstringentSodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhizic Acid
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Butylparaben
Masking
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Isobutylparaben
Antimicrobial
Propylparaben
Preservative
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic 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%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Kaolin
Abrasive
Zinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Algin
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Salicylic 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 (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 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, itβs 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
