What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Propanediol
Solvent
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Melaleuca Leucadendron Cajaput Oil
Masking
Methylpropanediol
SolventAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Hexamidine Diisethionate
Emollient
Sulfur
Antiseborrhoeic
Dextrin
AbsorbentCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingStephania Tetrandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCalamine
AbsorbentCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Trehalose
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Tranexamic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Propanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Melaleuca Leucadendron Cajaput Oil, Methylpropanediol, Allantoin, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment, Hexamidine Diisethionate, Sulfur, Dextrin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract, Calamine, Centella Asiatica Extract, Trehalose, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Carbonate
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Cucumis Sativus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Sulfur
Antiseborrhoeic
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Camphor
Masking
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Menthol
Masking
Disodium EDTA
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Zinc Carbonate, Zinc Oxide, Propylene Glycol, Propanediol, Cucumis Sativus Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Sulfur, Salicylic Acid, Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Silica, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Camphor, Glycolic Acid, Menthol, Disodium EDTA, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePropanediol 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 PropanediolSalicylic 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 AcidSulfur is a commonly occurring element on Earth (and our universe!). In cosmetics, it helps kill bacteria, reduces sebum, and provides exfoliation. This makes it an effective ingredient to reduce breakouts and fight acne.
As a ketayolytic agent, it breaks down the top layer of skin. This is a form of exfoliation and may help decrease acne and hyperpigmentation.
Studies show sulfur has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Sulfur can be drying if used excessively or at higher concentrations. We recommend speaking with a medical professional if you have any concerns.
Ancient Greece, India, China, and Egypt have used sulfur in both traditional medicines and for household use.
Learn more about SulfurWater. 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
