What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentGlycereth-7 Trimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantBenzoic Acid
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Glycereth-7 Trimethyl Ether, Glycereth-26, Methyl Gluceth-20, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Sodium Benzoate, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningUrea
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantTriethylhexanoin
MaskingGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCentella Asiatica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPinus Pinaster Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantGlycolic Acid
BufferingXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingXylitol
HumectantGlucose
HumectantWater, Methylpropanediol, Alcohol Denat., Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Urea, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Triethylhexanoin, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dipropylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Pinus Pinaster Leaf Extract, Madecassoside, Lactobacillus Ferment, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Panthenol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Glycolic Acid, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Xylitol, Glucose
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizingg properties. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Studies show higher concentrations of this ingredient can promote wound healing.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinButylene 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 GlycolDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (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 GlycerinMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract comes from the Tea Tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, Myrtaceae. This tea tree is native to Australia.
Tea Leaf extract contains antimicrobial and anti-acne properties.
This ingredient has perfuming properties and contains linalool and limonene. These fragrance and terpinen components can cause skin sensitivity.
Learn more about the benefits of Tea Tree Oil here.
Learn more about Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf ExtractPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSalicylic 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