What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 1.5%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Rosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Isethionate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMenthoxypropanediol
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTanacetum Annuum Flower Oil
Masking
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract
CI 77510
Cosmetic ColorantCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Sodium Glycolate
BufferingSodium Formate
Buffering
Lactobacillus Extract Filtrate
HumectantSalicylic Acid 1.5%, Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Stearic Acid, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Coconut Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Isethionate, Xanthan Gum, Menthoxypropanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77891, Tanacetum Annuum Flower Oil, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Mica, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, CI 77510, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Propylene Glycol, Tin Oxide, Sodium Glycolate, Sodium Formate, Lactobacillus Extract Filtrate
Water
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingLauric Acid
Cleansing
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Betaine
Humectant
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Capric Acid
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Myristic Acid, Glycerin, Palmitic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid, Stearic Acid, Glycol Distearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sorbitan Olivate, Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Betaine, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Sodium Chloride, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Capric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Oryza Sativa Extract, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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, itβs 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 AcidSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
