What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Magnesium PCA
Humectant
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate, Sodium Chloride, Niacinamide, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Zinc PCA, Magnesium PCA, Coco-Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Gluconolactone, Sodium Citrate, Calcium Gluconate, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Emulsifying
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Water, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Salicylic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Polysorbate 80
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.
It is used to enhance the texture of products by boosting lather and thickening the texture. As a cleanser, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is mild.
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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Salicylic 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, itβs 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
