Skin science article
Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid Versus Some By Mi Cica Peptide Anti Hair Loss Derma Scalp Shampoo
Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid Versus Some By Mi Cica Peptide Anti Hair Loss Derma Scalp Shampoo This pore-care exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine the look of pores and clear breakouts. What's inside Key Ingredients Benefits Concern
Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid Versus Some By Mi Cica Peptide Anti Hair Loss Derma Scalp Shampoo
This pore-care exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to refine the look of pores and clear breakouts.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Butylene Glycol
Propanediol
1,2-Hexanediol
Salicylic Acid
Castanea Crenata Shell Extract
Sodium Hydroxide
Glycerin
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Ethylhexylglycerin
Xanthan Gum
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Hyaluronic Acid
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Sodium Citrate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Allantoin
Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salicylic Acid, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Allantoin
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate
Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
Cocamide Mea
Sodium Chloride
Parfum
Polyquaternium-10
Caprylyl Glycol
Hydroxyacetophenone
PPG-3 Myristyl Ether
Panthenol
Menthol
Niacinamide
Sodium Benzoate
Pentasodium Pentetate
Gluconolactone
Aminomethyl Propanol
Biotin
Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Mentha Viridis Extract
Leonurus Sibiricus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Artemisia Vulgaris Extract
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
Centella Asiatica Extract
Hydrolyzed Corn Protein
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Hexapeptide-9
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Palmitoyl Oligopeptide
Tripeptide-1
Copper Tripeptide-1
Asiatic Acid
Asiaticoside
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Madecassic Acid
Madecassoside
Nonapeptide-1
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamide Mea, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Polyquaternium-10, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, PPG-3 Myristyl Ether, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Menthol, Citric Acid, Niacinamide, Sodium Benzoate, Pentasodium Pentetate, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Aminomethyl Propanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Biotin, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Mentha Viridis Extract, Leonurus Sibiricus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hexapeptide-9, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Tripeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside, Nonapeptide-1
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
Emollient, helping to soften skin
Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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.
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.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
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.
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!