What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Sulfur 0.025%
Antiseborrhoeic
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters
Emollient
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Menthol
Masking
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Camphor
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Astringent
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Lens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
CI 77015
Cosmetic ColorantPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventKalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract
MaskingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Artemisia Umbelliformis Extract
Skin ConditioningEpilobium Fleischeri Extract
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Peucedanum Ostruthium Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Alpina Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid 2%, Sulfur 0.025%, Water, Alcohol, Zinc Oxide, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 80, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Propylene Glycol, Parfum, Zinc PCA, Phenoxyethanol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Menthol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Camphor, Panthenol, Allantoin, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, CI 77015, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylpropanediol, Kalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract, Chlorphenesin, Artemisia Umbelliformis Extract, Epilobium Fleischeri Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Citric Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Peucedanum Ostruthium Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Alpina Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
We don't have a description for Lens Esculenta Seed Extract yet.
This ingredient is also known as tea tree oil. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
Tea tree oil is a complex lipophilic (fat-loving) oil that contains around 100 compounds with terpinen-4-ol being the most abundant (~40%).
Terpinen-4-ol is responsible for tea tree oil's broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and makes it a well-researched option for acne.
Clinical studies support 5% tea tree oil as an effective topical treatment for mild to moderate acne. A study with 124 patients compared 5% tea tree oil gel to 5% benzoyl peroxide and both reduced acne (though tea tree oil worked more slowly).
Besides acne, it is also seen in anti-dandruff shampoos and scalp treatments for it's antimicrobial and anti-seborrheic properties.
Safety-wise, the allergic potential of low concentrations on healthy skin is considered low. However, oxidized (old or improperly stored) tea tree oil is a stronger sensitizer.
Irritation can also occur if using the undiluted oil on skin; it's best to use this ingredient as part of a carefully crafted cosmetic formula. This is because regulations require tea tree oil in cosmetics to be stabilized to prevent degradation.
This ingredient has been deemed safe up to 2% in shampoo, 1% in cleansers, and 0.1% in face cream by the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS).
There is some lab evidence that tea tree oil is antifungal against Malassezia, but it is a supportive option at best and not a replacement for proven antifungal treatments.
Learn more about Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf OilSalicylic 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 AcidZinc PCA is a clever two-in-one molecule: the zinc salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA).
Think of it as two useful things bonded together; the PCA half is one of your skin's own natural moisturizing factors (NMF) so it helps hold water in the upper layers. On the other hand, the zinc half does the heavy lifting on oil and bacteria.
The zinc part slows down an enzyme that turns testosterone into DHT, the hormone that tells your oil glands to pump out more sebum. Less of that signal means less oil. It also gently fights acne-causing bacteria and soothes redness/irritation.
This is why Zinc PCA often shows up in products for oily, breakout-prone skin and greasy scalps.
One lab study also hinted it might have a small anti-aging perk because it seemed to protect collagen from UVA damage and even helped the skin make a bit more of it. That last bit is still early research done in a dish and not real skin, so take it as a nice bonus rather than a promise for now.
As for scar healing, the picture is more "maybe" than a firm yes. Zinc itself plays a real role in wound repair because it is a cofactor for the enzymes involved in collagen building, calming inflammation, and helping new skin cells cover a wound. Lower zinc levels are also linked to slower healing.
Most of the scar healing research is on zinc oxide or oral zinc rather than zinc PCA specifically, with a focus on healing fresh wounds instead of scars that are already there.
Direct evidence that zinc PCA improves the look of established scars is still limited at this time. Though it would be fair to say zinc PCA supports the general skin-repair environment thanks to its zinc content .
This ingredient is water-soluble and plays nicely with other actives like niacinamide and salicylic acid. It works best at mildly acidic formulas (~4-6 pH) and is effective at low levels. Around 0.1% is enough to be active and finished products commonly use it anywhere up to 4%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-drama multitasker that suits oily and acne-prone skin.
Learn more about Zinc PCA
