This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.
This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Glucoside
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids
Foam BoostingCoco-Betaine
CleansingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingPolyquaternium-7
Sasa Kurilensis Water
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingTetrasodium EDTA
ChelatingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
ChelatingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCorthellus Shiitake Extract
Skin ProtectingCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids, Coco-Betaine, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Polyquaternium-7, Sasa Kurilensis Water, Salicylic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Corthellus Shiitake Extract, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningLauryl Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventFructooligosaccharides
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
DMDM Hydantoin
PreservativeSucrose
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingSalicylic Acid
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentDecyl Glucoside
CleansingDextrin
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Fruit Extract
AntioxidantCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract
AstringentPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Lauryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Propanediol, Fructooligosaccharides, Butylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, DMDM Hydantoin, Sucrose, Sodium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Potassium Hydroxide, Acer Saccharum Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Dextrin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Coffea Arabica Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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, 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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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