What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Acrylates Copolymer
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingDMDM Hydantoin
Preservative
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantParfum
Masking
Hexamidine Diisethionate
Emollient
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingWater
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingSucrose Cocoate
Emulsifying
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Juice
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Citral
Perfuming
Cymbopogon Citratus Leaf Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Linalool
Perfuming
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Water, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Water, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sucrose Cocoate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder, Salicylic Acid, Vitis Vinifera Juice, Sodium Benzoate, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Citral, Cymbopogon Citratus Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Citronellol, Geraniol, Potassium Sorbate, Linalool, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Oil
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 AcidSalicylic 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
