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 ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Urea
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrehalose
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Arnica Montana Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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
