What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantDiazolidinyl Urea
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativePropylparaben
PreservativeMagnesium Chloride
Magnesium Nitrate
Methylisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeHydrolyzed Algin
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMethylsilanol Mannuronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Methylparaben
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeSalicylic Acid
MaskingParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Acrylates Copolymer, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Allantoin, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Magnesium Chloride, Magnesium Nitrate, Methylisothiazolinone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Hydrolyzed Algin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Methylsilanol Mannuronate, Sodium Methylparaben, Sorbic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingEthyl Hexanediol
SolventCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCitrus Limon Fruit Oil
AstringentSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSalicylic Acid
MaskingLauric Acid
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantSalix Alba Bark Water
Astringent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Glycol Distearate
EmollientMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Myristic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Ethyl Hexanediol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Citrus Limon Fruit Oil, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Stearic Acid, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polysorbate 80, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Salicylic Acid, Lauric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Salix Alba Bark Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA, Glycol Distearate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Citric Acid
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 GlycolCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineGlycerin (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