This acne serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Gluconolactone to clear breakouts and refine the look of pores.
This acne serum is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Zinc PCA to clear breakouts and balance excess oil.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPalmitoyl Grape Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citral
Perfuming
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Cymbopogon Citratus Leaf Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Sodium Phytate
Linalool
Perfuming
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Alcohol, Niacinamide, Triethyl Citrate, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Sodium Citrate, Palmitoyl Grape Seed Extract, Xanthan Gum, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Citral, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Cymbopogon Citratus Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Citronellol, Geraniol, Sodium Phytate, Linalool, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Oil, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Cetearyl Olivate
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Distarch Phosphate
AbsorbentZinc PCA
Humectant
Octadecenedioic Acid
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingZinc Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Polysilicone-11
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Polylysine
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Water, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Cetearyl Olivate, C10-18 Triglycerides, Distarch Phosphate, Zinc PCA, Octadecenedioic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dimethicone, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sorbitan Olivate, Squalane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Lactic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Hydroxide, Zinc Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 60, Polysilicone-11, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol, Polylysine, Helianthus Annuus Seed 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.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilSalicylic 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 AcidSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium 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.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
