[ comfort zone ] Active Pureness Corrector Versus REN Clean Skincare ClearCalm Non-Drying Acne Treatment Gel
Updated on November 13, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens, silicones 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
[ comfort zone ] Active Pureness Corrector 12 ingredients
REN Clean Skincare ClearCalm Non-Drying Acne Treatment Gel 26 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
[ comfort zone ] Active Pureness Corrector 12 ingredients
REN Clean Skincare ClearCalm Non-Drying Acne Treatment Gel 26 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 0.5%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPinus Pinaster Bark Extract
Antioxidant
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
Masking
Xylitol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventSantalum Album Wood Oil
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlucose
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Oleate
Emulsifying
Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Oil
Antimicrobial
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Surfactin
CleansingLactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Lactate
BufferingFarnesol
Perfuming
Salicylic Acid 0.5%, Water, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Sodium Benzoate, Xylitol, Propanediol, Santalum Album Wood Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glucose, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Oil, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Sodium Surfactin, Lactic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Farnesol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterAlcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumGlycerin 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 GlycerinIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
[ comfort zone ] Active Pureness Corrector 12 ingredients
REN Clean Skincare ClearCalm Non-Drying Acne Treatment Gel 26 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
[ comfort zone ] Active Pureness Corrector 12 ingredients
REN Clean Skincare ClearCalm Non-Drying Acne Treatment Gel 26 ingredients
I used this spot treatment for a year and it really did dry out the pimples without irritating or drying the skin around it. I used to pick my pimples and this product was even safe to use on a small wound left by picking, by the morning of the next day the inflamation would be 90-100% gone and if any sebum was left in your pimple it would drive it out to the surface. My only, and minor, complaint Show more
