This acne serum is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide to clear breakouts and refine the look of pores.
This acne serum is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Panthenol to clear breakouts and calm redness.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Caprylic/Capric Glycerides Polyglyceryl-10 Esters
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum
HumectantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Quaternium-73
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides Polyglyceryl-10 Esters, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Madecassoside, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Quaternium-73, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthoxydiglycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberAmylopectin
Dextrin
AbsorbentDisodium EDTA
Succinic Acid
BufferingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethylamino Methylpropanol
Syringa Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Ethoxydiglycol, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, Allantoin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Amylopectin, Dextrin, Disodium EDTA, Succinic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Maltodextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethylamino Methylpropanol, Syringa Vulgaris Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
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 preservatives
Butylene 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 GlycerinSalicylic 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 AcidWater. 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
