What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters
Emollient
Methylpropanediol
SolventAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningO-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
4-Terpineol
Masking
Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Citric Acid, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Methylpropanediol, Allantoin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Sodium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, O-Cymen-5-Ol, 4-Terpineol, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Salicylic Acid, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Sodium Metabisulfite
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Allium Cepa Bulb Extract
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Triclosan
Preservative
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Methylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTASalicylic 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 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
