What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
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
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Triethanolamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Squalene
Emollient
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Agastache Rugosa Extract
Antimicrobial
Boswellia Carterii Resin Extract
MaskingCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
AstringentGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Inula Helenium Extract
MaskingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract
AstringentSantalum Album Extract
CleansingQuaternium-73
Water, Propylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Squalene, Zinc PCA, Butylene Glycol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Agastache Rugosa Extract, Boswellia Carterii Resin Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Inula Helenium Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Santalum Album Extract, Quaternium-73
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 GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSalicylic 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
