What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Dipalmitoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate
Ceteareth-20
CleansingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Climbazole
Antimicrobial
Piroctone Olamine
Preservative
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Laureth-8 Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Oleth Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingMenthol
Masking
Sorbitol
Humectant
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Cetrimonium Chloride, Dipalmitoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate, Ceteareth-20, Salicylic Acid, Climbazole, Piroctone Olamine, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Laureth-8 Sulfate, Sodium Oleth Sulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Menthol, Sorbitol
Glycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Coco-Betaine
Cleansing
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Mel
EmollientParfum
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Polyquaternium-7
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Menthol
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Glycerin, Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, Coco-Betaine, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Mel, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Sodium Benzoate, Polyquaternium-7, Salicylic Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Linalool, Menthol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Limonene
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 GlycerinMenthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSalicylic 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 AcidSodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Laureth SulfateWater. 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
