Experiment Beauty Continuum Daily Multi-Clarifying Treatment Versus La Roche-Posay Effaclar A.Z. Gel Cream
This acne treatment is formulated around Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate and Gluconolactone to clear breakouts and calm redness.
This acne moisturizer is formulated around Azelaic Acid and Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hexyldecanol
Emollient
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingIsohexadecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
Masking
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Methylparaben
Preservative
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Fullerenes
AntimicrobialWater, Propanediol, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Squalane, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Sodium Polyacrylate, Salicylic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Hexyldecanol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Isohexadecane, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Allantoin, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Ethylparaben, Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide, Bisabolol, Polysorbate 60, Methylparaben, Pvp, Propylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Stearic Acid, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Ethylhexylglycerin, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Fullerenes
Water
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
Buffering
C15-19 Alkane
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Diglycerin
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingTaraxacum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Water, Azelaic Acid, C15-19 Alkane, Glycerin, Triethyl Citrate, Diglycerin, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Silica, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Taraxacum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Zinc Gluconate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Phosphate, Disodium Phosphate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPolysorbate 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 60Salicylic 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 AcidSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
