What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Zinc Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMalic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingRosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-13
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Carboxymethyl Cocoyl Glycine
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Saccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Menthol
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-13, Acetyl Carboxymethyl Cocoyl Glycine, Beta-Glucan, Bisabolol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Salicylic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Allantoin, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Menthol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
