What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
SmoothingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
BufferingBisabolol
MaskingCetearyl Olivate
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion StabilisingEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOzonized Oryza Sativa Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium PCA
HumectantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Niacinamide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Azelaic Acid, Bisabolol, Cetearyl Olivate, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lactic Acid, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Ozonized Oryza Sativa Callus Culture Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentGlycerin
HumectantCeteareth-20
CleansingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate
EmollientAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingSalicylic Acid
MaskingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSafflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPPG-5-Laureth-5
EmollientKojic Acid
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPolyquaternium-11
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Glycerin, Ceteareth-20, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Phenoxyethanol, PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Salicylic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Caprylyl Glycol, Zinc Gluconate, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Morus Alba Root Extract, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Safflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters, Sodium Hydroxide, PPG-5-Laureth-5, Kojic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Polyquaternium-11, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bisabolol is famous for its skin soothing properties. It does this by blocking inflammatory signals, helping to reduce your body's reaction to irritation.
This ingredient also interferes with the process of hyperpigmentation. This can help with reducing dark spots and uneven tone.
Bisabolol is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. By fighting these free-radicals, Bisabolol may slow down signs of aging.
Studies have shown Bisabolol to have antimicrobial properties and may be a fungicide. These properties help preserve a product's shelf life.
All these properties makes bisabolol a great skin barrier helper ingredient.
Bisabolol also helps the absorption of other ingredients.
Note: Synthetic Bisabolol has been shown to be less effective.
Learn more about BisabololDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Salicylic 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 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water