key-molecule Key Molecule Exfoliating Lotion
key-molecule Key Molecule Exfoliating Lotion lists 15 ingredients on its label, 14 decoded. See what each one does, its irritancy and comedogenic tendency, and its status in national inventories.
Ingredients overview
Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.
Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.
Highlights
Free of fragranceFree of parabensFree of siliconesFree of sulfatesFree of mineral oilFree of essential oilsFree of formaldehyde releasersContains PEGContains alcoholContains EU-26 allergens
Formulation view High-performance exfoliating lotion with a multi-acid system (glycolic, lactic, salicylic) and niacinamide for soothing. Includes sulfur for oil control and gentle preservatives. Suitable for oily or dull skin, requiring careful usage frequency to avoid barrier damage. Factory view: pH control is critical with multiple acids and sulfur; preservative efficacy must be verified in acidic conditions to prevent ingredient degradation.
Key ingredients
- SOLVENT
- Aqua
- SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT
- PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
- BUFFERING
- Glycolic AcidLactic Acid
- HUMECTANT
- Propylene Glycol
- SMOOTHING
- Niacinamide
- ANTISTATIC
- Panthenol
- ANTI-SEBORRHEIC
- Salicylic Acid
Other ingredients
Benzyl AlcoholDehydroacetic AcidSulfurPolysorbate 60Aloe Vera Barbadensis Leaf ExtractAllantoinSodium Hydroxide
Skim through
| Ingredient | What it does | Irr. · Com. | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aqua | SOLVENT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| PPG-15 Stearyl Ether | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT | 0 · 1 | Green |
| Glycolic Acid | BUFFERING | 2 · 0 | Green |
| Propylene Glycol | HUMECTANT, FRAGRANCE, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING, SKIN CONDITIONING - HUMECTANT, SKIN CONDITIONING - MISCELLANEOUS | 1 · 0 | Green |
| Niacinamide | SMOOTHING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Lactic Acid | BUFFERING, HUMECTANT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 1 · 0 | Green |
| Panthenol | ANTISTATIC, HAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Salicylic Acid | ANTI-SEBORRHEIC, HAIR CONDITIONING, KERATOLYTIC, FRAGRANCE, PRESERVATIVE, SKIN CONDITIONING · 限制 III/98 V/3 | 2 · 0 | Yellow |
| Benzyl Alcohol | PRESERVATIVE, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING, PERFUMING · 限制 III/45 and V/34 | 1 · 0 | Yellow |
| Dehydroacetic Acid | PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/13 | — | Yellow |
| Sulfur | ANTI-SEBORRHEIC, ANTI-SEBUM, ANTISTATIC, HAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING | 1 · 0 | Green |
| Polysorbate 60 | SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING | 1 · – | Green |
| Aloe Vera Barbadensis Leaf Extract | Not decoded yet | — | — |
| Allantoin | SKIN CONDITIONING, SKIN PROTECTING, SOOTHING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Sodium Hydroxide | BUFFERING, DENATURANT · 限制 III/15a | 3 · – | Green |
Ingredients explained
- Aqua
- Solvent, main base; microbial control is critical
- PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
- PPG-15 stearyl ether emollient, improves spreadability; low-molecular PPG, slippery feel.
- Glycolic Acid
- Glycolic acid for exfoliation; requires buffering at concentrations >10%, avoid combination with other acids.
- Propylene Glycol
- Polyol humectant at 3-10%; hygroscopic, slight tackiness, mild irritation at high conc., verify preservative efficacy, no allergen.
- Niacinamide
- Niacinamide at 2–5%; improves texture, controls oil, brightens; high levels may cause sensitivity
- Lactic Acid
- AHA pH adjuster at 0.5-5%; exfoliation/humectancy, mild at low conc., irritating at high, avoid conflict with alkaline preservatives.
- Panthenol
- Panthenol (vitamin B5) at 1–5%; moisturizing and reparative, supports barrier recovery
- Salicylic Acid
- Lipophilic BHA at 0.5-2%; exfoliant/sebum control, irritation/sensitization at high conc., photosensitivity (SPF needed), avoid sensitive/pregnant.
- Benzyl Alcohol
- Mild preservative/solvent at 0.5-1.0%; EU allergen (labeling required), irritation risk if concentrated, avoid in infant/highly sensitive skin.
- Dehydroacetic Acid
- Broad-spectrum preservative for acidic and oil-based systems; has concentration limits, requires challenge testing.
- Sulfur
- Sebum-regulating and anti-seborrheic agent for acne; has distinct odor, low irritancy at standard levels but can be drying.
- Polysorbate 60
- Non-ionic emulsifier and solubilizer for O/W or W/O stability; may cause mild stinging on sensitive skin, typically 1-5%.
- Aloe Vera Barbadensis Leaf Extract
- Not decoded yet
- Allantoin
- Skin soother at 0.5-2%; promotes cell regeneration
- Sodium Hydroxide
- Strong base neutralizer for pH adjustment; handle with extreme care
Source: full ingredient list published on the product label, collected 2026-09-18. Ratings are our internal reading, not a regulatory conclusion. · Product page
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