This acne moisturizer is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid to clear breakouts and refine skin texture.
This acne moisturizer is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Centella Asiatica Extract to clear breakouts and calm redness.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 1%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Squalane
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingIsopentyldiol
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Cladonia Rangiferina Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Arctium Majus Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Salicylic Acid 1%, Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glycolic Acid, Squalane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Isopentyldiol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cladonia Rangiferina Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Gluconolactone, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Sodium Benzoate
Salicylic Acid 0.5%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientEthoxydiglycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingMalpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Phytate
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Salicylic Acid 0.5%, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ethoxydiglycol, Glyceryl Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sclerotium Gum, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Allantoin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Phytate, Niacinamide, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, T-Butyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.
It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.
One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.
This ingredient is also known as Sepimax Zen.
Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Salicylic 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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
