What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycolic Acid 3.5%
Buffering
Dierucic Acid 2%
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid 1.5%
Masking
Citric Acid 0.5%
Buffering
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientOctadecenedioic Acid
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Polyquaternium-10
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycolic Acid 3.5%, Dierucic Acid 2%, Salicylic Acid 1.5%, Citric Acid 0.5%, Alcohol Denat., Water, Methylpropanediol, Diisopropyl Adipate, Octadecenedioic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Polyquaternium-10, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Polysilicone-11
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingAminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Micrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Whey Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
PEG-8
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Methyl Trimethicone, Polysorbate 20, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Polysilicone-11, Salicylic Acid, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Plankton Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Glucosamine, Caffeine, Glycine Soja Protein, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Cholesterol, Caprylyl Glycol, Micrococcus Lysate, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Lecithin, Whey Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-8, Sodium Hydroxide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Salicylic 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 Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
