What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Zinc PCA, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Cocamidopropylamine Oxide
Cleansing
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil
Astringent
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, PEG-150 Distearate, Polysorbate 20, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Glycerin, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.
It is used to enhance the texture of products by boosting lather and thickening the texture. As a cleanser, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is mild.
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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
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, 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 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
