What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid 1%
MaskingInulin
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
HumectantSuccinic Acid
BufferingCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-10
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientGlycerin, Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Salicylic Acid 1%, Inulin, Zinc PCA, Succinic Acid, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Hexylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 80, Lecithin
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningCoco-Betaine
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantGaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract
PerfumingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Salicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyquaternium-67
Tromethamine
BufferingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Butylene Glycol, Gaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyquaternium-67, Tromethamine, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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