Glow FX Acne Pure Serum Versus Somethinc 2% BHA Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment
Updated on February 01, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens or parabens
What's Inside
They both contain sulfates
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
Glow FX Acne Pure Serum 53 ingredients
Somethinc 2% BHA Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment 20 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Glow FX Acne Pure Serum 53 ingredients
Somethinc 2% BHA Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment 20 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Diglycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyglycerin-6
HumectantPEG-8
HumectantAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantPolyacrylamide
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
SolventLauric Acid
Cleansing
Disodium EDTA
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingLauryl Alcohol Diphosphonic Acid
Emulsion StabilisingIsostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentBeta Vulgaris Extract
Skin ProtectingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Cyclotetrasiloxane
Emollient
Boswellia Serrata Extract
Skin ConditioningHoney Extract
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
P-Anisic Acid
MaskingOligopeptide-10
Antimicrobial
2-Aminobutanol
BufferingCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Bromelain
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin ConditioningWater, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Niacinamide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Diglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Polyglycerin-6, PEG-8, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Polyacrylamide, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Bakuchiol, Salicylic Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Methylpropanediol, Chlorphenesin, Propanediol, Lauric Acid, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lactic Acid, Laureth-7, Lauryl Alcohol Diphosphonic Acid, Isostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Beta Vulgaris Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Honey Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, P-Anisic Acid, Oligopeptide-10, 2-Aminobutanol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Bromelain, Papain
Water
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Trehalose
HumectantPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberDisodium EDTA
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Algin
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantPhragmites Karka Extract
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Zinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Water, Acacia Senegal Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Trehalose, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Triethanolamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Algin, CI 19140, Phragmites Karka Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, CI 17200, Phenoxyethanol, Zinc Sulfate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. 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 WaterButylene 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.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Salicylic 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 AcidDisodium 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 EDTA1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Glow FX Acne Pure Serum 53 ingredients
Somethinc 2% BHA Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment 20 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Glow FX Acne Pure Serum 53 ingredients
Somethinc 2% BHA Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment 20 ingredients
tbh I didn't expect much but boy was I wrong. all my stubborn closed comedones gone within a week and bonus my skin texture is improving. ofc my facial wash helps but I wish I thought about salicylic acid much earlier 🥹 this is my first salicylic acid serum and I love it, new HG. I checked ingredients via SkinSort before buying, to make sure it's fungal acne safe and match my other skin concerns. Show more
