This salicylic acid foaming cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.
This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingPropylene Glycol
HumectantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGlycerin
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids
CleansingPolyquaternium-39
Polyquaternium-7
Squalane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantFomes Officinalis Extract
Skin ProtectingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantUrea
BufferingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantAlgin
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePullulan
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTilia Cordata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-150 Distearate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Polyquaternium-39, Polyquaternium-7, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, Fomes Officinalis Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trehalose, Urea, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Serine, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Algin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Potassium Phosphate, Potassium Sorbate, Pullulan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tilia Cordata Flower Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingCocamide DEA
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingAcrylates Copolymer
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate
SurfactantPotassium Cocoate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantTriethanolamine
BufferingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Niacinamide
SmoothingSalicylic Acid
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingGlycolic Acid
BufferingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingGluconic Acid
Mandelic Acid
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactobionic Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingChrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningLippia Citriodora Leaf Extract
AstringentBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Chloride
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Cocamide DEA, Sodium Chloride, Acrylates Copolymer, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Potassium Cocoate, Butylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Gluconic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactobionic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Lippia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopherol, Potassium Chloride
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract is from the Roman Chamomile flower. It helps soothe the skin and contains antioxidants.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract comes from the marigold flower and has been used on skin for centuries for its calming effect.
In the lab, its active compounds appear to calm inflammation and support the early "healing" phase of minor wounds.
This is why Europe's medicines regulator has approved calendula extracts as a traditional remedy for minor skin inflammation and healing small wounds.
The stronger human evidence is around would/ulcer care rather than everyday cosmetic claims; a review that pulled together 14 studies found that calendula helped calm the early, inflamed stage of a wound and helped new skin tissue form faster.
Two studies also showed it shrank leg ulcers (the kind caused by poor circulation). Results were mixed for burns and for the skin irritation people get from radiation treatment, so it's not a sure thing there.
In cosmetics, it's mostly a skin conditioning and soothing agent.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel concluded that calendula-derived ingredients are safe as used and that the ingredients are not irritating, sensitizing, or photosensitizing in clinical tests (though they may be mild eye irritants).
Typical use levels are quite low; industry data reported it used at under 0.5% (one supplier noted a 10-25% extract blend used at 1-10% in the finished product). Historical use goes up to 10%.
The only thing to keep in mind is if you have daisy/ragweed allergies. Calendula is in the same family and one patch-test study found 2% of dermatitis patients reacted to marigold. Be sure to patch test if you have sensitive or allergy-prone skin.
Learn more about Calendula Officinalis Flower ExtractCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCocamidopropyl 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 BetaineDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSalicylic 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 AcidChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium 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