What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Algin
Masking
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventNeopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAzelamidopropyl Dimethyl Amine
AntimicrobialSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium PCA
Humectant
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Carrageenan
Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil
Tonic
Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Piper Nigrum Seed Extract
RefreshingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propylene Carbonate
SolventKaolin
Abrasive
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Erythritol
Humectant
Potassium Lactate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbic Acid
Preservative
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Octyldodecanol, Azelaic Acid, Algin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Azelamidopropyl Dimethyl Amine, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium PCA, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Beta-Glucan, Carrageenan, Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Piper Nigrum Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Carbonate, Kaolin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Erythritol, Potassium Lactate, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
Smoothing
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phenylpropanol
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Chloride
Glycerin
Humectant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Propanediol, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Niacinamide, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenylpropanol, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Potassium Chloride, Glycerin, Chlorphenesin, Tocopherol, 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.
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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinCitric 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 AcidGlycerin (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.
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate (PAD) comes from the condensation of azelaic acid mixed with glycine.
This ingredient has similar properties to azelaic acid; it can help reduce sebum production and soothe skin. PAD also inhibits tyrosinase activity to help brighten skin. Tyrosinase is an enzyme that controls melanin production.
A study from 2023 found 5% PAD combined with nicotinamide (a form of niacin) effectively reduced melanin production after 6 weeks.
Several studies from the 2010's also show PAD to be effective in alleviating symptoms of Rosacea.
Though this ingredient is considered a gentle active, higher amounts may result in irritation.
Unlike azelaic acid, this ingredient is water-soluble. This property makes it easier to formulate into skincare products.
Learn more about Potassium Azeloyl DiglycinatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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
