What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingGlycolic Acid
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAllantoin
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCalendula Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPropylene Glycol
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Chlorphenesin, Allantoin, Maltodextrin, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glyceryl Caprylate, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Propylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialIsoceteth-20
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantSalicylic Acid 2%
MaskingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingButylene Glycol
HumectantCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientMenthol
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Alcohol Denat., Isoceteth-20, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid 2%, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Niacinamide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Menthol, Limonene, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
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 GlycolGlycerin (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