This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.
This salicylic acid foaming cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Juglans Regia Shell Powder
Abrasive
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Malus Domestica Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ribes Nigrum Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Juglans Regia Shell Powder, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, Sodium Chloride, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ribes Nigrum Leaf Extract, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Cyanocobalamin, Salicylic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingLauric Acid
Cleansing
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Surfactant
Cetearyl Olivate
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Potassium Cocoate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Powder
Abrasive
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Arachidic Acid
Cleansing
Polyquaternium-7
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Dextrin
AbsorbentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingOleic Acid
Emollient
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Artemisia Capillaris Extract
Citric Acid
Buffering
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Succinic Acid
BufferingAsiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Myristic Acid, Stearic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Cetearyl Olivate, Decyl Glucoside, Salicylic Acid, Potassium Cocoate, Sorbitan Olivate, Allantoin, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium PCA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Powder, Palmitic Acid, Arachidic Acid, Polyquaternium-7, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Dextrin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Oleic Acid, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Citric Acid, Gluconolactone, Succinic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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, 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
