e.l.f. cosmetics Plz Clarify Facial Oil Versus Clinique Even Better Clinical™ Radical Dark Spot Corrector + Interrupter
This acne oil is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil to clear breakouts and refine the look of pores.
This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbyl Glucoside and Salicylic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glabridin
BleachingSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Antioxidant
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningDenatonium Benzoate
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
CI 47000
Cosmetic ColorantSalicylic Acid 2%, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Alcohol, Glycine Soja Oil, Octyldodecanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopherol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Bisabolol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Glabridin, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Beta-Carotene, Denatonium Benzoate, Limonene, Linalool, CI 47000
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
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
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 this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic Acid
