What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningAlumina
Abrasive
Bentonite
Absorbent
Kaolin
Abrasive
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Protease
Exfoliating
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Alumina, Bentonite, Kaolin, Maltodextrin, Propanediol, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Citric Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polysorbate 20, Protease, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Carrageenan
Malpighia Glabra Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningMalpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Raphanus Sativus Root Extract
AstringentLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Oleth-20
CleansingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberSodium Phytate
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Parfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Propanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Carrageenan, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Juice, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Raphanus Sativus Root Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus, Maltodextrin, Oleth-20, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Sodium Phytate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, CI 16035
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.
It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.
One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.
This ingredient is also known as Sepimax Zen.
Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Propanediol 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 PropanediolSalicylic 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 AcidSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
