What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientPolyethylene
Abrasive
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Steareth-21
CleansingC12-15 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientCetyl Lactate
EmollientBHT
Antioxidant
Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAgar
MaskingMenthol
Masking
Benzalkonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Parfum
Masking
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Cetyl Alcohol, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Polyethylene, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Polysorbate 60, Steareth-21, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Cetyl Lactate, BHT, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Sodium Hydroxide, Agar, Menthol, Benzalkonium Chloride, CI 77492, Mica, CI 16035, CI 15850, CI 19140, Titanium Dioxide, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cydonia Oblonga Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Eucalyptus Citriodora Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Oleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Surfactin
CleansingSorbic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cydonia Oblonga Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Citriodora Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Salicylic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate, Sodium Surfactin, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Linalool
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 GlycerinSalicylic 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 AcidSodium 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 Water
