This acne treatment is formulated around Zinc Oxide and Colloidal Sulfur to clear breakouts and balance excess oil.
This acne treatment is formulated around Kaolin and Centella Asiatica Extract to clear breakouts and balance excess oil.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantColloidal Sulfur
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
SmoothingSalicylic Acid
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantBetaine
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantEctoin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Reticulata Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingLactobionic Acid
BufferingO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialPiper Methysticum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantQuaternium-73
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantWater, Alcohol, Zinc Oxide, Colloidal Sulfur, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ectoin, Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract, Lactobionic Acid, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Piper Methysticum Root Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, CI 19140, Quaternium-73, Hexylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantKaolin
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantBentonite
AbsorbentBenzyl Glycol
SolventCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialSalicylic Acid
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningRaspberry Ketone
MaskingMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGeraniol
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Kaolin, Glycerin, CI 77891, Bentonite, Benzyl Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Salicylic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Raspberry Ketone, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Allantoin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Dipropylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 19140, CI 42090, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Geraniol, Parfum
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 GlycolCI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Hydroxyacetophenone is a small phenolic molecule that earns its place in a formulas as an antioxidant and preservative booster.
As a phenol, it is able to neutralize free radicals to protect both the product and the skin from oxidative stress.
Though it can't kill microbes on its own, it works as a good supporting agent when combined with other preservatives like Phenoxyethanol or 1,2-Hexanediol.
This ingredient naturally occurs as piceol in Norwegian spruce needles (~0.4-1.1% dry weight and in cloudberries). Though the cosmetic-grade material is synthesized for purity and consistency.
You'll usually see it used at low levels and suppliers recommend up to 1% added to a water phase.
Safety testing was done at concentrations like 0.05% in SPF products and 0.5% in a Human Repeated Insult Patch Test. The safety evidence is assuring; this ingredient is safe for cosmetics in current use and also holds safety status as a food flavoring as well.
An honest caveat: the "soothing" and "anti-inflammatory" claims come mostly from supplier marketing rather than published clinical trials. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review's own literature search found no useful efficacy studies on this ingredient.
So the antioxidant and preservative-boosting roles are the well supported ones while the calming benefit is plausible but thinly evidenced.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-irritation multitasker that quietly helps a formula stay fresh and stable.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneSalicylic 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 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