What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingGlycolic Acid
BufferingLinoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantSodium C12-15 Pareth-15 Sulfonate
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingTriethanolamine
BufferingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantZinc PCA
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Water
AntioxidantSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingLauryl Betaine
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Glycerin
HumectantSodium Chloride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHexadecene
SolventTetradecene
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingTromethamine
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialPropanediol
SolventPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingSuccinic Acid
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
HumectantPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantTabebuia Impetiginosa Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Annua Extract
MaskingBenzoic Acid
MaskingBenzaldehyde
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Niacinamide
SmoothingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantGlycyrrhizic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantThiamine Hcl
MaskingPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Lauryl Betaine, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hexadecene, Tetradecene, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Tromethamine, Allantoin, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Malt Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Mandelic Acid, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Phosphatidylcholine, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Gluconolactone, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Salicylic Acid, Succinic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Tabebuia Impetiginosa Bark Extract, Artemisia Annua Extract, Benzoic Acid, Benzaldehyde, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycyrrhizic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Cyanocobalamin, Folic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Pyridoxine, Riboflavin, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Thiamine Hcl, Potassium Hyaluronate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumSalicylic 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 C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a surfactant that helps water and oil mix so that dirt, sweat, sebum, and sunscreen can rinse away easily. It's not technically a sulfate, but behaves similarly in formulas.
What it does:
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a strong cleansing surfactant and is much stronger than many mild cleansers. Because it works deeply, it can disrupt the skin's barrier. This can lead to dryness or irritation for those with sensitive skin.
Compared to gentler surfactants, it's effective but more likely to dry or irritate if not balanced with soothing ingredients.
CIR considers sodium α-olefin sulfonates (including C14-16) to be safe for use in rinse-off products when properly formulated. It is poorly absorbed through normal skin but absorption increases if the skin barrier is already damaged.
Learn more about Sodium C14-16 Olefin SulfonateWater. 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