What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Glycereth-7 Trimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Salicylic 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.
Antimicrobial
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Urea
Buffering
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Diphenyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCentella Asiatica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Pinus Pinaster Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Xylitol
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Water, 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 moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
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 is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
