What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxypropylsulfonate Laurylglucoside Crosspolymer
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Maltooligosyl Glucoside
Skin ConditioningPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Emulsifying
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Malus Domestica Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Water
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentSodium Chloride
MaskingXylitylglucoside
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Sodium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingIsopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxypropylsulfonate Laurylglucoside Crosspolymer, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Capryloyl Glycine, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Coco-Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Sodium Chloride, Xylitylglucoside, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Borate
BufferingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cymbopogon Flexuosus Oil
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Geraniol
Perfuming
Farnesol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Sodium Borate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract, Cymbopogon Flexuosus Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Decyl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Geraniol, Farnesol, Limonene, Citral
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDecyl Glucoside is a plant-derived surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Like all surfactants, it works by lowering the surface tension between water and oil. This makes it so that dirt, sebum, and makeup can be lifted off your skin and rinsed away. It also produces a dense and creamy foam.
Because it has a neutral charge, it is compatible with a wide range of ingredients and stays stable across a broad pH range/water hardiness conditions.
Patch testing has shown it to have the lowest irritation potential among common cleansing surfactants (like SLS).
Typical use levels range from 5-20% in rinse-off cleansers.
One thing worth knowing: The American Contact Dermatitis Society named the parent family, alkyl glucosides, "Allergen of the Year" in 2017. The prevalence of allergy is pretty low but be sure to patch test if you've reacted to "gentle" or sulfate-free cleansers before.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because the fatty alcohol portion of this ingredient is not within the C11-24 chain length that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideGlycerin (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, 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
