What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientCamphor
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingGlycolic Acid
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Camphor, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Allantoin, Panthenol, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTapioca Starch
Dimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingCarnitine
CleansingGlycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Tapioca Starch, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Carnitine, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Maris Sal, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, PEG-150 Distearate, Decylene Glycol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Trisodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractSalicylic 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