Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion Versus Mac Cosmetics Hyper Real Serumizer™ Skin Balancing Hydration Serum
Updated on June 28, 2024
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain BHA and exfoliants
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 oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols
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
Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion 18 ingredients
Mac Cosmetics Hyper Real Serumizer™ Skin Balancing Hydration Serum 59 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion 18 ingredients
Mac Cosmetics Hyper Real Serumizer™ Skin Balancing Hydration Serum 59 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Nylon-12
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSucrose
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
Humectant
Sea Whip Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77120
Cosmetic Colorant10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Disodium EDTA
Benzalkonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Trisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Trehalose
HumectantPaeonia Albiflora Flower Extract
TonicCholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Algae Extract
Emollient
Saccharomyces Lysate Extract
HumectantBetula Alba Bark Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Thermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingSilybum Marianum Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Sodium Magnesium Silicate
PEG-8
HumectantSucrose
HumectantT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingOleth-10
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingJojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTromethamine
BufferingDi-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Parfum
Masking
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientBHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Trisiloxane, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Trehalose, Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract, Cholesterol, Ceramide Ng, Linoleic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Citric Acid, Algae Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Silybum Marianum Extract, Caffeine, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitol, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, PEG-8, Sucrose, T-Butyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Oleth-10, Carbomer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters, Sodium Hydroxide, Tromethamine, Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride, Silica, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Linalool, CI 77891, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Mica, Caprylyl Glycol, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Hexylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, 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 WaterButylene 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.
We don't have a description for Laminaria Saccharina Extract yet.
Caffeine is most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and is rich in antioxidants.
While caffeine is used to treat cellulite and and dark circles, further studies are needed to prove this. It has been believed to help with these skin conditions due to its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow.
Some studies are looking into caffeine's ability to protect against UV rays.
Learn more about CaffeineSucrose is a natural sugar found in fruits, vegetables, and nuts. It is the main constituent of white sugar.
In skincare, sucrose is a humectant and can be a mild exfoliant.
Sucrose is hydrophilic, meaning it attracts water. This makes it an effective humectant and helps hydrate the skin.
Studies show sugars may worsen acne-prone skin due to it disrupting the skin's natural biome. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
In some products such as body scrubs, sucrose is used as an gentle exfoliant.
The term 'sucrose' comes from the french word for sugar, 'sucre'.
Learn more about SucroseGlycerin 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 GlycerinAcetyl Glucosamine is an antioxidant and humectant. It is an amino acid sugar and is naturally found in our skin.
The cool thing about this ingredient? It helps the skin produce hyaluronic acid and boost hydration. It also has antioxidant benefits to protect skin cells.
When paired with niacinamide, Acetyl Glucosamine has been shown to be effective at reducing discoloration.
Learn more about Acetyl GlucosamineSorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.
As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.
It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.
Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.
Learn more about SorbitolSilica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.
Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.
Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.
Learn more about SilicaDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion 18 ingredients
Mac Cosmetics Hyper Real Serumizer™ Skin Balancing Hydration Serum 59 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion 18 ingredients
very harsh
When I first started using this the pain was actually kinda unbearable. I’m not sure why I continued using it, but I did for months, and the stinging eventually went away. Didn’t do anything for my skin as far as I can tell.
Started slow by using it once-twice a week and it still burned my skin right off every single time I’ve used it. Even on my oily T-zone where it usually isn’t sensitive! This is considering I’ve used other exfoliating toners in the past with no issues. Also, it smells heavily of alcohol. The only saving grace is that I bought this for less than half price, so I’m probably going to just gift it to Show more
