Derma XP Acne Spot Gel Versus Sunday Riley Saturn Sulfur Spot Treatment
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, 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
Derma XP Acne Spot Gel 23 ingredients
Sunday Riley Saturn Sulfur Spot Treatment 34 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Derma XP Acne Spot Gel 23 ingredients
Sunday Riley Saturn Sulfur Spot Treatment 34 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
2-Hydroxyethyl Acrylate
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sulfur
Antiseborrhoeic
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Succinic Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Royal Jelly Protein
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Alcohol Denat., Propylene Glycol, 2-Hydroxyethyl Acrylate, Niacinamide, Sulfur, Zinc Gluconate, Salicylic Acid, Succinic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Allantoin, Hydrolyzed Royal Jelly Protein, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningSulfur
Antiseborrhoeic
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingBentonite
AbsorbentHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-2 Caprate
EmulsifyingOlive Oil Glycereth-8 Esters
Emollient
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil
Tonic
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAmber Powder
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Lycopersicum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicQuartz
Abrasive
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Sulfur, Isoamyl Laurate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, Acacia Senegal Gum, Bentonite, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Olive Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, Zinc PCA, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Amber Powder, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Leaf Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Quartz, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Alcohol Denat., Chlorphenesin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylyl Glycol
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.Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamideSulfur is a commonly occurring element on Earth (and our universe!). In cosmetics, it helps kill bacteria, reduces sebum, and provides exfoliation. This makes it an effective ingredient to reduce breakouts and fight acne.
As a ketayolytic agent, it breaks down the top layer of skin. This is a form of exfoliation and may help decrease acne and hyperpigmentation.
Studies show sulfur has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Sulfur can be drying if used excessively or at higher concentrations. We recommend speaking with a medical professional if you have any concerns.
Ancient Greece, India, China, and Egypt have used sulfur in both traditional medicines and for household use.
Learn more about SulfurDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Sorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer and cleaning agent. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, Sorbitan Isostearate prevents oils and water from separating.
Due to its isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearatePolysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinDisodium 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.
