Dr. Althea 15% Calamine Spot Powder Versus iUNIK Centella Calming AC Spot Cream
Updated on April 29, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free facial treatments. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA and BHA
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, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
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
Dr. Althea 15% Calamine Spot Powder 22 ingredients
iUNIK Centella Calming AC Spot Cream 43 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Dr. Althea 15% Calamine Spot Powder 22 ingredients
iUNIK Centella Calming AC Spot Cream 43 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Calamine
AbsorbentGlycerin
Humectant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Dimethyl Sulfone
Solvent
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Malic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantWater, Alcohol, Calamine, Glycerin, Titanium Dioxide, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, Dimethyl Sulfone, Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tartaric Acid, Malic Acid, Lactic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Melaleuca Cajaputi Extract
TonicSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Lactobacillus/Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Sprout Extract
Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantGlucuronic Acid
Buffering
Rhamnose
HumectantCordyceps Militaris Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Totarol
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Polyisobutene
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Tromethamine
BufferingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Melaleuca Cajaputi Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Lactobacillus/Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Ferment Filtrate, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Sprout Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Glucuronic Acid, Rhamnose, Cordyceps Militaris Extract, Glucose, Totarol, Panthenol, Lactic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Salicylic Acid, Glycolipids, Adenosine, Gluconolactone, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Polyisobutene, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Cellulose Gum, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sorbitan Oleate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Ethoxydiglycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tromethamine
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 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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSalicylic 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 AcidCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene Glycol1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Lactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidWe don't have a description for Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract yet.
This tree is also known as the David Elm. It contains the ingredient bakuchiol.
Other great compounds found in this ingredient include galactose, glucose, and phenolics. The sugar content gives it great skin hydrating properties. Phenolics are potent antioxidants commonly found in fruits and veggies.
A 2020 study found the phenolics of this root to have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Fun fact: This ingredient is used in traditional Asian medicine.
Learn more about Ulmus Davidiana Root ExtractWe don't have a description for Pueraria Lobata Root Extract yet.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Dr. Althea 15% Calamine Spot Powder 22 ingredients
iUNIK Centella Calming AC Spot Cream 43 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Dr. Althea 15% Calamine Spot Powder 22 ingredients
iUNIK Centella Calming AC Spot Cream 43 ingredients
You'll need something stronger for cystic pimples, but this is wonderful for more minor acne.
