Experiment Beauty Continuum Daily Multi-Clarifying Treatment Versus Murad Biome-Balancing Clear & Prevent Acne Treatment Serum
This acne treatment is formulated around Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate and Gluconolactone to clear breakouts and calm redness.
This acne serum is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Mandelic 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
SolventPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSalicylic Acid
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHexyldecanol
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingIsohexadecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin Conditioning4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
MaskingEthylparaben
PreservativeCetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingMethylparaben
PreservativePvp
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol
HumectantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingFullerenes
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
Salicylic Acid 1%
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantErythritol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantGlutamic Acid
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNymphaea Caerulea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningUrea
BufferingYeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantInositol
HumectantTaurine
BufferingBetaine
HumectantMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicCurcuma Longa Root Extract
AntioxidantOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Polysilicone-11
Butylene Glycol
HumectantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSalicylic Acid 1%, Water, Propanediol, Mandelic Acid, Glycerin, Erythritol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Dimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Saccharide Isomerate, Glutamic Acid, Allantoin, Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Nymphaea Caerulea Flower Extract, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Polysilicone-11, Butylene Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinButylene 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSalicylic 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