What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Bentonite
Absorbent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolydextrose
HumectantDextrin
AbsorbentAmylopectin
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Stearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glycolic Acid, Bentonite, Niacinamide, Sodium Hydroxide, Azelaic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polydextrose, Dextrin, Amylopectin, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningSilt
AbsorbentBentonite
Absorbent
Kaolin
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Lauryl Lactate
EmollientGalactoarabinan
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Steareth-20
CleansingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCamellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Iron Oxides
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Squalane
Emollient
Tetrasodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Steareth-10
Emulsifying
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Parfum
Masking
Water, Silt, Bentonite, Kaolin, Glycerin, Lauryl Lactate, Galactoarabinan, Jojoba Esters, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetyl Esters, Steareth-20, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Tocopherol, Salicylic Acid, Zea Mays Starch, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Butylene Glycol, Iron Oxides, Bisabolol, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Squalane, Tetrasodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 60, Steareth-10, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate, Chlorphenesin, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Hydrated Silica, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bentonite is an aluminium phyllosilicate clay with great absorbent properties. The name 'bentonite' comes from the area where the largest source is found: Fort Benton, Wyoming.
As a clay, bentonite is often used to absorb excess oil and provide exfoliation. It has also been shown to have some antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies show bentonite was effective at calming dermatitis from poison ivy and in diaper dermatitis of infants. Bentonite has also been shown to act as a barrier against toxic compounds on your skin.
Sunscreens containing bentonite display higher water resistance and stay on the skin for much longer. The sunscreens containing bentonite also show higher potency and UV light absorbtion.
Bentonite is naturally created from volcanic ash and several natural weathering/hydrothermal processes.
A common usage of bentonite is removing excess protein from white wines. Bentonite contains a property of being able to absorb large amounts of protein from aqueous solutions.
Phyllosilicate clay has a structure formed by sheets.
Learn more about BentoniteGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
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, 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 AcidTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
