What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantSalicylic Acid
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Citrate
BufferingHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Carbonate
SolventCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Disodium EDTA
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Propylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Ethoxydiglycol, Salicylic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Sodium Citrate, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Propylene Carbonate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Disodium EDTA, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Maltodextrin, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Hexamidine Diisethionate
Emollient
Water, Propanediol, Salicylic Acid, Glycerin, Niacinamide, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycolic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Octyldodecanol, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Tocopherol, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Allantoin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Parfum, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Propylene Glycol, Hexamidine Diisethionate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolPropylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene 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 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
