What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Urea
Buffering
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingPEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
Cleansing
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Laureth-8 Sulfate
Cleansing
Glycine
Buffering
Piroctone Olamine
Preservative
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Coco-Betaine
Cleansing
Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Magnesium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Magnesium Laureth-8 Sulfate
Cleansing
Magnesium Oleth Sulfate
Cleansing
PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
Surfactant
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyquaternium-30
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium Oleth Sulfate
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Urea, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Glycol Distearate, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Laureth-8 Sulfate, Glycine, Piroctone Olamine, Hexylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, Citric Acid, Coco-Betaine, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Magnesium Laureth Sulfate, Magnesium Laureth-8 Sulfate, Magnesium Oleth Sulfate, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-30, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Oleth Sulfate, Parfum
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Acrylates Copolymer
Propanediol Caprylate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Cocamide Mipa
Emulsifying
Cassia Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Polyquaternium-113
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Tetrasodium EDTA
Silicone Quaternium-22
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Caprate
EmulsifyingPEG-45m
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Polysorbate 80, Acrylates Copolymer, Propanediol Caprylate, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamide Mipa, Cassia Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-113, Chlorphenesin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Silicone Quaternium-22, Dipropylene Glycol, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate, PEG-45m, Citric Acid, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 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
