What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantKaolin
AbrasiveZinc Sulfate
AntimicrobialBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Algin
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Biosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butylene Glycol, Kaolin, Zinc Sulfate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Algin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingIsohexadecane
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethyl Sulfone
SolventCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyacrylate-13
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientTrisodium Phosphate
BufferingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPullulan
Lauryl Alcohol
EmollientVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydroxycinnamic Acid
Skin ConditioningRutin
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingWater, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Octyldodecanol, Niacinamide, Isohexadecane, Isododecane, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Stearyl Alcohol, Dimethyl Sulfone, Cetyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate-13, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Salicylic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Adenosine, Dextrin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tromethamine, Beta-Glucan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Sodium Citrate, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Myristyl Alcohol, Trisodium Phosphate, Hyaluronic Acid, Pullulan, Lauryl Alcohol, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydroxycinnamic Acid, Rutin, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumSalicylic 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 AcidSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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