Versus
Face Cleanser
Exfoliator
American United States
American United States

What's inside

What's inside

Key Ingredients

No key ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Show highlights for:

Water

Skin Conditioning

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Glycolic Acid

Buffering
AHA IconExfoliant IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps brighten skin IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Skin Texture IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Hydrated Silica

Abrasive
Exfoliant Icon

Polylactic Acid

Abrasive
Exfoliant Icon

Coco-Caprylate

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Lactic Acid

Buffering
AHA IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps brighten skin IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Skin Texture IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Cetyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Stearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Acrylamide/Ammonium Acrylate Copolymer

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

Jojoba Esters

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 1 Fatty Alcohol IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate

Emulsifying

Polyisobutene

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Ascorbic Acid

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps brighten skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Skin Texture Icon

Salicylic Acid

Masking
BHA IconPreservative IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Cetearyl Glucoside

Emulsifying

Dehydroxanthan Gum

Emulsion Stabilising

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Chlorphenesin

Antimicrobial
Preservative Icon

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Carica Papaya Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness Icon

Alpha-Arbutin

Antioxidant
Arbutin IconAntioxidant IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Glutathione

Good for Dark Spots Icon

Kojic Acid

Antioxidant
Kojic Acid IconAntioxidant IconHelps fight Acne IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Niacinamide

Smoothing
Niacinamide IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps brighten skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Retinyl Palmitate

Skin Conditioning
1-3 / 1-3 Retinoid IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps brighten skin IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Skin Texture IconMay worsen Rosacea IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Azelaic Acid

Buffering
Azelaic Acid IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Skin Texture Icon

CI 19140

Cosmetic Colorant

CI 73360

Cosmetic Colorant
3 / 0 Bad for Acne Prone Skin Icon

CI 77713

Cosmetic Colorant

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract

Emulsion Stabilising
Fragrance Icon

Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract

Astringent
Fragrance Icon

Glycine Soja Oil

Emollient
3 / 0 Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Impatiens Balsamina Flower Extract

Astringent

Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract

Masking
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation Icon

Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract

Astringent
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Pimpinella Anisum Fruit Extract

Masking

Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract

Astringent

Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce irritation Icon

Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract

Masking
Fragrance IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness Icon

Curcuma Longa Root Extract

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract

Helps reduce irritation Icon

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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 Glycerin
Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning

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 Acid
Buffering

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. 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

Similar Comparisons