What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPhysalis Pubescens Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningAlbatrellus Confluens Extract
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Yeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
Humectant
Taurine
BufferingInositol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Polylysine
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pullulan
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Lecithin
Emollient
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Silica
Abrasive
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Behenyl Alcohol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Physalis Pubescens Fruit Juice, Albatrellus Confluens Extract, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Taurine, Inositol, Betaine, Allantoin, Polylysine, Tocopherol, Pullulan, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lecithin, Phytosterols, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Menthyl Lactate, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningTerpineol
Masking
Thymol
AntimicrobialChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
Emollient
Pullulan
Propanediol
Solvent
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingLimonene
Perfuming
Water, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Cetearyl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxyacetophenone, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Terpineol, Thymol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Lecithin, Pullulan, Propanediol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Silica, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Limonene
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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolPullulan is a low viscosity polysaccharide (a long chain carbohydrate) with binding and film forming properties when dissolved in water. It is used to create a "silicone-like" or silky feel in cosmetics without adding viscosity.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient's ability to easily dissolves makes it a great carrier for active ingredients.
Due to it being edible and tasteless, you'll likely find this ingredient in breath freshener strips. This ingredient is produced from the starch of the fungus, Aureobasidium pullulans.
Pullulan is stable over a broad-range of pH.
Learn more about PullulanSalicylic 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 AcidSclerotium Gum is a natural sugar-based fiber made by fermenting a fungus called Sclerotium rolfsii. It's often used as the plant-friendly alternative for synthetic thickeners like carbomer.
In skincare, it works as a thickener, gel former, and stabilizer that keeps heavy ingredients suspended so a product does not separate.
It is non-ionic and forms a triple helix in solution. This is just a fancy way of saying it builds a smooth, cushiony, and non-sticky gel that feels silkier than many other gums.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it is very sturdy and holds up across a wide pH range (~2-11). It's also good at resisting heat and hydrolysis.
Since it holds water at the skin surface, it can provide some light hydration as well.
Typical use levels are around 0.25-2%; formulators usually use 0.2-0.5% to thicken lotions and up to 2% for a firmer gel base.
This ingredient has been found safe in cosmetics with no meaningful evidence of skin sensitization.
Learn more about Sclerotium GumSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium 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
