Skin science article
First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma White Clay Acne Treatment Pads 2% Salicylic Acid Versus CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser
First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma White Clay Acne Treatment Pads 2% Salicylic Acid Versus CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser This acne exfoliating pad uses a pre-saturated pad with Salicylic Acid and Kaolin to clear breakouts and balance excess oil. This salicylic acid ge
First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma White Clay Acne Treatment Pads 2% Salicylic Acid Versus CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser
This acne exfoliating pad uses a pre-saturated pad with Salicylic Acid and Kaolin to clear breakouts and balance excess oil.
This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid
Water
Polysorbate 80
Phenoxyethanol
Sodium Hydroxide
Glycerin
Sodium Citrate
Kaolin
Salix Nigra Bark Extract
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Butylene Glycol
Potassium Sorbate
Sodium Benzoate
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Capryloyl Glycine
Hexylene Glycol
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Sarcosine
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
Xanthan Gum
Limonene
Oleanolic Acid
Salicylic Acid, Water, Polysorbate 80, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Sodium Citrate, Kaolin, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Capryloyl Glycine, Hexylene Glycol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Sarcosine, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Xanthan Gum, Limonene, Oleanolic Acid
Salicylic Acid 2%
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Niacinamide
Gluconolactone
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Ceramide NP
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Carbomer
Calcium Gluconate
Triethyl Citrate
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
Cholesterol
Tetrasodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Hectorite
Phytosphingosine
Benzoic Acid
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Gluconolactone, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Calcium Gluconate, Triethyl Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Hectorite, Phytosphingosine, Benzoic Acid
Reviews
Be the first to review
Alternatives
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.
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, 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.
Sodium 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.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Water. 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!
Xanthan 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.