This acne treatment is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Albatrellus Confluens Extract to clear breakouts and calm redness.
This brightening treatment is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Asiaticoside to fade the look of dark spots and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPhysalis Pubescens Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningAlbatrellus Confluens Extract
HumectantUrea
BufferingYeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantInositol
HumectantTaurine
BufferingBetaine
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPolylysine
Tocopherol
AntioxidantPullulan
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingLecithin
EmollientPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningMenthyl Lactate
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialSilica
AbrasiveDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Behenyl Alcohol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Physalis Pubescens Fruit Juice, Albatrellus Confluens Extract, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, 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
Dimethicone
EmollientPolysilicone-11
Ascorbic Acid
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone/Divinyldimethicone/Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
HumectantDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningHexylresorcinol
AntimicrobialSalicylic Acid
MaskingAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningHydroxytyrosol
BleachingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Ascorbic Acid, Silica, Dimethicone/Divinyldimethicone/Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Hexylresorcinol, Salicylic Acid, Acetyl Glucosamine, Hydroxytyrosol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, CI 77891
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethyl Isosorbide (often shortened to DMI) is a sugar-derived solvent made from sorbitol. It's used to dissolve tricky ingredients and help them mix smoothly into a formula.
Many actives sit as gritty crystals when undissolved, so DMI swoops in to full dissolve them. This helps improve texture, stability, and how evenly an active is distributed.
It does have a penetration-enhancing reputation that is a bit more nuanced than marketing suggests; a cell study on human skin found that 10% DMI didn't significantly boost the permeation of Hydroquinone, Salicylic Acid, or Octadecenedioic Acid compared to controls (though it did improve their solubility in the formula itself).
Typical usage concentrations usually range from 1-10% depending on the formula's needs; this ingredient is also well tolerated at these levels.
Learn more about Dimethyl IsosorbideSalicylic 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 AcidSilica, 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 Silica