Clinique Even Better Clinical™ Radical Dark Spot Corrector + Interrupter Versus The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbyl Glucoside and Salicylic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
This calming serum is formulated around Azelaic Acid to calm redness and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polysilicone-11
Isododecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-6
HumectantMorus Bombycis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Saccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientSalicylic Acid
Masking
Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Isohexadecane
EmollientBetula Alba Bark Extract
Masking
Trametes Versicolor Extract
Sodium Rna
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Dimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol
Antioxidant
Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Faex Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Propylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Tromethamine
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Isododecane, Butylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, PEG-10 Dimethicone, PEG-6, Morus Bombycis Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Salicylic Acid, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Cholesterol, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Squalane, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Isohexadecane, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Trametes Versicolor Extract, Sodium Rna, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Dimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol, Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Faex Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 80, Tromethamine, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Sulfite, Phenoxyethanol, CI 15985, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Emollient
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysilicone-11
Isohexadecane
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingIsoceteth-20
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Triethanolamine
BufferingEthoxydiglycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Dimethicone, Azelaic Acid, Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysilicone-11, Isohexadecane, Tocopherol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Isoceteth-20, Polysorbate 60, Triethanolamine, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeIsohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecanePhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolPolysilicone-11 is a film-forming silicone that creates a non-tacky and matte finish on the skin. It's commonly used to improve texture, absorb excess oil, and help active ingredients spread evenly.
Due to its "rubber-like" structure, it stays on the skin's surface instead of being absorbed. On the skin, it creates a flexible layer that enhances wearability and stability.
Water. 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
