What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cetearyl Isononanoate
Emollient
Sodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer
EmollientSalicylic Acid
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Niacinamide, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Sodium Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Silica, Silica Silylate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Lactic Acid, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Salicylic Acid, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethylimidazolidinone Rice Starch
AbsorbentHydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides
Emollient
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBisabolol
Antioxidant
Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pantolactone
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Dimethylimidazolidinone Rice Starch, Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Zinc PCA, Allantoin, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Bisabolol, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Pantolactone, Citric Acid
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 GlycerinSalicylic 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 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
