What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Acrylates Copolymer
Propanediol Caprylate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Cocamide Mipa
Emulsifying
Cassia Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Polyquaternium-113
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Tetrasodium EDTA
Silicone Quaternium-22
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Caprate
EmulsifyingPEG-45m
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Polysorbate 80, Acrylates Copolymer, Propanediol Caprylate, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamide Mipa, Cassia Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-113, Chlorphenesin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Silicone Quaternium-22, Dipropylene Glycol, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate, PEG-45m, Citric Acid, Parfum
Salicylic Acid 3%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
Antioxidant
Charcoal Powder
Abrasive
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Salicylic Acid 3%, Water, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Citrate, Glycol Distearate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Sodium PCA, Lactic Acid, Menthyl Lactate, Sodium Gluconate, Panthenol, Mentha Piperita Oil, Caramel, Maltodextrin, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Charcoal Powder, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Biotin, Hyaluronic Acid
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 Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineGlycerin (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 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
