What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLauric Acid
CleansingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveEpilobium Angustifolium Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Cetyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sorbitan Stearate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lauric Acid, Allantoin, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingBetaine
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Laurate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSalicylic Acid
MaskingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingSodium Phytate
Gluconolactone
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Japonica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycolic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Betaine, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Salicylic Acid, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Sodium Phytate, Gluconolactone, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Sophora Japonica Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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, itβs 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