GenoBiotic Spot-Gen Anti Spot Day Cream Versus Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Brightening & Smoothing Moisture Treatment
Updated on June 18, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe day moisturizers. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, BHA, exfoliants, Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and silicones
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
GenoBiotic Spot-Gen Anti Spot Day Cream 35 ingredients
Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Brightening & Smoothing Moisture Treatment 29 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
GenoBiotic Spot-Gen Anti Spot Day Cream 35 ingredients
Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Brightening & Smoothing Moisture Treatment 29 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Citric Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Malic Acid
Buffering
Gluconic Acid
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Tetrahydrocurcumin
Antioxidant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Hexanoyl Dipeptide-3 Norleucine Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer
Abrasive
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Gluconic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, Alpha-Arbutin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Tetrahydrocurcumin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Hexanoyl Dipeptide-3 Norleucine Acetate, Lecithin, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Water
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Sulfate
Disodium EDTA
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Citrus Aurantium Tachibana Peel Extract
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Linalool
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Water, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Potassium Hydroxide, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Silica, Adenosine, Magnesium Sulfate, Disodium EDTA, Dipropylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Tachibana Peel Extract, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Salicylic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Geraniol, Limonene, Citral
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with a ton of research to back up its benefits.
Its main role is to remove the top layer of dead skin cells, allowing newer skin cells to emerge.
Specifically, AHAs work by breaking down the structural "glue" holding the old skin cells in place. Getting rid of the old skin cells allows skin to regenerate newer skin cells in its place. A build up of dead skin cells can lead to tired and dull looking skin.
Due to this, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.
When starting glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging.
The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product. Concentrations between 5-20% glycolic acid have been shown to be effective in clinical studies.
Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
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 a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
You might know this ingredient as Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a more stable version of ascorbic acid.
Like other types of vitamin C, this ingredient has many benefits including reducing wrinkles, skin soothing, dark spot fading, and fighting against free radicals.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid interferes with the process of skin darkening, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation. It also encourages the skin to produce more collagen.
Once applied, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is converted to Vitamin C deeper in the skin's layers. This process is slow but makes this ingredient more tolerable for skin.
The optimum pH range for this ingredient is 4 - 5.5
Learn more about 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
