The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque Versus Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional Tight 'n Toned Pore Refining AHA+PHA Toner
This wash off mask is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.
This pore-care exfoliator is formulated around Gluconolactone and Glycolic Acid to refine the look of pores and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventSilica Cetyl Silylate
Salicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCharcoal Powder
Abrasive4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
MaskingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhytic Acid
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Kaolin, Squalane, Glycerin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Silica Cetyl Silylate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Polyacrylate, Pentylene Glycol, Charcoal Powder, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Sclerotium Gum, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Phytic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialDecyl Glucoside
CleansingBisabolol
AntioxidantMenthoxypropanediol
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingSphingolipids
EmollientSphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Gluconolactone, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Citric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Decyl Glucoside, Bisabolol, Menthoxypropanediol, Sodium Citrate, Pentylene Glycol, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Sphingolipids, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Chlorphenesin 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 ChlorphenesinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolWater. 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