What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Sulfur
Antiseborrhoeic
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Lanolin
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Dicetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCeteth-10 Phosphate
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSteareth-21
CleansingSorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sulfur, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Lanolin, Glyceryl Stearate, Salicylic Acid, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Palmitate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Steareth-21, Sorbitan Stearate, Steareth-2, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinSalicylic 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 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
