Bubble Super Clear Acne Treating Serum 2% Salicylic Acid Versus SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Clear Toner
This acne serum is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract to clear breakouts and refine the look of pores.
This pore-care toner is formulated around Centella Asiatica Extract and Salicylic Acid to refine the look of pores and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientOctyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
EmollientSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningColloidal Oatmeal
AbsorbentSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingZinc PCA
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantMelia Azadirachta Seed Oil
EmollientSpiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Glycerin, Squalane, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Colloidal Oatmeal, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Zinc PCA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil, Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Xanthan Gum, Coco-Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Centella Asiatica Extract 50.47%
CleansingWater
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantBetaine
HumectantMineral Salts
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
HumectantSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingSalicylic Acid
MaskingGlycolic Acid
BufferingCentella Asiatica Extract 50.47%, Water, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Betaine, Mineral Salts, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Citric Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Gluconolactone, Sodium Citrate, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid
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 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 GlycerinSalicylic 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 AcidThis is a lab-made ingredient that plays a huge role in improving the texture of a formula.
It's used to thicken watery gel-creams, prevent water + oil from separating, and give products a silky, non-greasy glide.
Safety-wise, a panel of independent toxicologists reviewed this ingredient and concluded it to be safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration.
A separate sensitization patch test on humans also showed no evidence of allergic reactivity, and a true allergy to this ingredient is considered rare.
Typical usage levels range from 0.015%-3% in leave-on products and 0.078%-3.2% in rinse-off products.
Learn more about Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl TaurateWater. 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