What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Imidazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
Benzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Menthol
Masking
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Undecylenoyl Glycine
CleansingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Horseradish Peroxidase
Skin ConditioningSuperoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Decyl Glucoside, Salicylic Acid, Hydrated Silica, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Parfum, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Benzophenone-4, Menthol, Oryza Sativa Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Undecylenoyl Glycine, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Horseradish Peroxidase, Superoxide Dismutase, CI 77891, CI 42090, CI 17200
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingEthoxydiglycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingMenthol
Masking
Benzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDiazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
Blue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Synthetic Wax, Glycol Distearate, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Ethoxydiglycol, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Menthol, Benzophenone-4, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Blue 1 Lake, CI 19140
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
Benzophenone-4 is a water-soluble chemical sunscreen.
It protects in the UV-B range, but is considered a secondary UV absorber. This means that it needs to be paired with other sunscreen ingredients to provide effective protection.
Typically, it's used in cosmetic products to protect them from deterioration caused by UV rays. This is why you'll find it in a lot of products that aren't sunscreens.
Learn more about Benzophenone-4Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinMenthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumSalicylic 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
