What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientPEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantIsopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Disiloxane Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Silica Silylate
EmollientLactic Acid
Buffering
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
PPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSalicylic Acid
Masking
PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Limonene
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 61570
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Silica, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-3 Disiloxane Dimethicone, Silica Silylate, Lactic Acid, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Phenoxyethanol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, PPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30, Sodium Hydroxide, Salicylic Acid, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Xanthan Gum, Mandelic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Parfum, Sodium Citrate, Adenosine, Limonene, Tocopherol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Geraniol, CI 19140, CI 61570
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Polysilicone-11
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPolymethyl Methacrylate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Dimethyl Oxobenzo Dioxasilane
Skin ConditioningSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
Astringent
Laureth-12
EmulsifyingIron Oxides
Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polysilicone-11, CI 77891, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Isopentyldiol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Silica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Dimethyl Oxobenzo Dioxasilane, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Laureth-12, Iron Oxides
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid comes from salicylic acid, the famous acne-fighting BHA.
It usually goes by a more common name of LHA, or lipohydroxy acid.
Like salicylic acid, this ingredient is a chemical exfoliant that can help break down the oil in your pores and reduce inflammation.
Though studies for LHA do show it to be less effective than salicylic acid. To be fair, salicylic acid is the reigning monarch of acne treatments.
However, a study from 2009 found LHA to be comparable to BPO, making it a good alternative for people with sensitive skin. Another study of 14 patients found a significant decrease in comedones after using LHA.
Another pro of LHA? It is less irritating than salicylic acid due to its large molecule size.
Large molecules cannot penetrate skin as well, so they are gentler on the skin. LHA is much less penetrative than salicylic acid.
An in-vitro study (not done on a living organism) found only 6% of LHA penetrated past the statum corneum compared to 58% of salicylic acid. An in-vivo (done on a living organism) analysis revealed ~17% of LHA was still present in the top layer of skin after 4 days, versus ~9% of salicylic acid.
Interestingly, a study from 2008 found LHA comparable to another famous acid, glycolic acid.
This study found about 10% of LHA is as effective as 20-50% of glycolic acid in treating hyperpigmentation and fine-lines.
Hydroxy acids have been found to stimulate skin protein, lipids, and thermal thickening. This may have anti-aging benefits.
Learn more about Capryloyl Salicylic AcidThis ingredient is a silicone used to improve the texture of products and absorb oil. It does not get absorbed into the skin.
Like other silicones, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer helps condition the skin by creating a barrier. In this sense, it can act as an emollient and trap moisture in.
This ingredient is a type of elastomer.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerPhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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
