Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment with Witch Hazel Versus DR's Secret Spot Serum 8
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols and fragrances
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment with Witch Hazel 29 ingredients
DR's Secret Spot Serum 8 27 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment with Witch Hazel 29 ingredients
DR's Secret Spot Serum 8 27 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Polyacrylamide
Glycerin
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetyl Lactate
EmollientPPG-2 Isoceteth-20 Acetate
EmulsifyingCocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Phenethyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Dehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Benzalkonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Ammonia
Buffering
Tetrasodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingSarcosine
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Cedrus Atlantica Bark Extract
Perfuming
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid 2%, Alcohol Denat., Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Polyacrylamide, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, C13-14 Isoparaffin, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl Lactate, PPG-2 Isoceteth-20 Acetate, Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Laureth-7, Polysorbate 20, Phenethyl Dimethicone, Parfum, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Propylene Glycol, Benzalkonium Chloride, Ammonia, Tetrasodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Capryloyl Glycine, Sarcosine, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
4-Terpineol
MaskingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lactate
BufferingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Arctium Majus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingNasturtium Officinale Extract
Perfuming
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientFucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Saponaria Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDenatonium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Polysorbate 20, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycerin, 4-Terpineol, Panthenol, Sodium Lactate, Salicylic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, T-Butyl Alcohol, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf Extract, Denatonium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
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 a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinAlcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is usually an astringent alcohol.
These alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Fatty alcohols come from plant oils such as coconut oil. These can help hydrate the skin and are non-irritating. Some fatty alcohols include cetyl and stearyl alcohol.
Learn more about AlcoholPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Ingredient Ratings
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