Versus

e.l.f. cosmetics Blemish Breakthrough Triple-Acid Resurfacing Serum Versus The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA

Exfoliator
Serum
American Brand United States
Canadian Brand Canada

Updated on March 07, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 2 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

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Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol 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.

When to use

35 Routines
31% use in am
69% use in pm
71% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
1,557 Routines
49% use in am
51% use in pm
93% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

e.l.f. cosmetics Blemish Breakthrough Triple-Acid Resurfacing Serum 16 ingredients

Blemish Breakthrough Triple-Acid Resurfacing Serum hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA 12 ingredients

3.6 /5
from 15 ratings
Great Value (5) No Scent (5) Absorbs Well (4)
sarape's avatar

Sara

11 months ago
Review

This product has became a holy grail for me so quick. The Hyaluronic Acid in this serums works wonders and makes my fine lines to disappear almost completely, like no other HA product i've ever tried has done before. The Alpha Arbutin has also helped a lot with fading my post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, that used to fade much slower with my previous routine.

And it can do all of this Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well
AshN.'s avatar

AshN.

1 year ago
Review

(Tried Nov 2022) This turned out to be one of those products that I had a bit of a hard time determining whether or not it worked even after a few purchases. If anything, I appreciated how budget friendly it was and the hydrating feel of the serum, but I can't say it did much for my stubborn dark spots.

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well