What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentAzelaic Acid
BufferingGlycolic Acid
BufferingPolylysine
Urea
BufferingYeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantInositol
HumectantTaurine
BufferingBetaine
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzoic Acid
MaskingSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Azelaic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Polylysine, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Allantoin, Glycerin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzoic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSuccinic Acid
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingVinyldimethicone
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingProtease
ExfoliatingJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingLavandula Hybrida Oil
EmollientElettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract
PerfumingFoeniculum Vulgare Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCrocus Sativus Flower Extract
MaskingCoriandrum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Alcohol, Panthenol, Succinic Acid, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglycerin-3, Tromethamine, Allantoin, Salicylic Acid, Vinyldimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Cyanocobalamin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Mentha Piperita Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Protease, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract, Foeniculum Vulgare Seed Extract, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Coriandrum Sativum Extract, Tocopherol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol 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 PropanediolSalicylic 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 AcidWater. 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