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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Glow Recipe Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops versus Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on May 24, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan and cruelty-free . They have a total of 15 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain BHA and hyaluronic acid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Facial Treatment American Brand United States
Serum American Brand United States

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops

Starts at $32.00
Shop

Buy Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum

Starts at $42.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

BHA
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin (2)
Reduces Irritation
Reduces Large Pores
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

AHA
BHA
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Reduces Large Pores (4)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (3)
Acne Fighting (3)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Glow Recipe Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops contains this as ingredient number 1.

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Solvent

C9-12 Alkane is synethically created using alkanes, or paraffins. It is added to products as a solvent. This means its main purpose is to help dissolve ingredients and create even texture.

Glow Recipe Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops contains this as ingredient number 5.

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Astringent, Skin Conditioning

Fragaria Vesca Leaf Extract comes from the leaves of the wild strawberry plant.

Strawberry leaves contain antioxidants. Antioxidants may help protect our skin against damage and the signs of aging.

Glow Recipe Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops contains this as ingredient number 9.

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum contains this as ingredient number 10.

4
What it does: Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

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 Acid

Glow Recipe Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops contains this as ingredient number 10.

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

5
What it does: Astringent, Skin Conditioning

Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract comes from the wild or European strawberry.

Strawberries have antioxidant and moisturizing properties. They contain many compounds that are potent antioxidants, such as anthocyanins and Vitamin C.

Strawberries also contain ellagic acid, a compound that may protect our skin against UVB damage.

As an astringent, the wild strawberry helps tighten and clean out pores by drawing water out.

Learn more about Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract

Glow Recipe Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops contains this as ingredient number 12.

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

6
What it does: Antimicrobial
Community Rating: Liked

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate is a natural preservative. It comes from fermenting radish roots with a bacteria called leuconostoc. Leuconostoc comes from lactic acid. This bacteria is used to make the traditional Korean side-dish, kimchi. It is also used to make sourdough bread (both incredibly yummy foods).

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate has antimicrobial properties and helps prevent the growth of bacteria in a product.

It is believed the preservation property comes from salicylic acid and ammonium salt, neither of which are involved in the fermentation process.

Learn more about Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

Glow Recipe Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops contains this as ingredient number 13.

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum contains this as ingredient number 29.

7
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

Glow Recipe Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops contains this as ingredient number 14.

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum contains this as ingredient number 13.

8
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning, Soothing
Community Rating: Loved

Bisabolol is pimarily used to add fragrance to a product. However, it is also famous for helping soothe skin.

Bisabolol comes from German chamomile essential oil. Synthetic Bisabolol has been shown to be less effective.

Bisabolol helps soothe skin. It does this by blocking the inflammatory signals, helping to reduce your body's reaction to irritation.

Bisabolol also interferes with the process of hyperpigmentation. This can help with reducing dark spots and uneven tone.

Bisabolol is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. By fighting these free-radicals, Bisabolol may slow down signs of aging.

Studies have shown Bisabolol to have antimicrobial properties and may be a fungicide. These properties help preserve a product's shelf life.

Bisabolol also helps the absorption of other ingredients.

Learn more about Bisabolol

Glow Recipe Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops contains this as ingredient number 15.

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum contains this as ingredient number 14.

9
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.

It is a lightweight emollient. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.

Once applied, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel.

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/Caprate

Glow Recipe Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops contains this as ingredient number 16.

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum contains this as ingredient number 24.

10
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene 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.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Glow Recipe Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops contains this as ingredient number 18.

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum contains this as ingredient number 27.

11
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol

Glow Recipe Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops contains this as ingredient number 19.

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.

12
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

Glow Recipe Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops contains this as ingredient number 21.

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.

13
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.

Glow Recipe Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops contains this as ingredient number 27.

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.

14
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

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.

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 look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Glow Recipe Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops contains this as ingredient number 30.

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum contains this as ingredient number 35.

15
What it does: Masking, Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "Parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.

In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.

For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.

The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.

Learn more about Parfum

Glow Recipe Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops contains this as ingredient number 31.

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum contains this as ingredient number 36.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

32% are loved or liked
19% have mixed ratings
23% are disliked or very disliked
26% have no rating yet
47% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
17% are disliked or very disliked
22% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Glow Recipe Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops 31 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum 36 ingredients

3.2 /5
from 5 ratings
Expensive (1) Light Scent (1) Works Well (1)
sayumi's avatar

sayumi

10 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

not worth it
feels sticky and fragrance is super strong ur better off getting a different exfoliant and its super expensive for what it is

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