This pore-care serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid to refine the look of pores and balance excess oil.
This oil-control serum is formulated around Lactic Acid and Salicylic Acid to balance excess oil and clear breakouts.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Pyridoxine Cyclic Phosphate
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantSuccinic Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
PEG-20
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Harungana Madagascariensis Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Water, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Pyridoxine Cyclic Phosphate, Betaine, Methyl Gluceth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Succinic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-1, PEG-20, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Allantoin, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lecithin, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Harungana Madagascariensis Extract, Ascorbic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Biosaccharide Gum-1 is a sugar created by fermenting sorbitol (which usually comes from potato starch!). It is known for its soothing and moisturizing properties.
Manufacturer tests show this ingredient helped reduce irritation from lactic acid by almost half and kept skin hydrated long-term as a humectant
Beyond hydration, Biosaccharide Gum-1 gives formulas a silky, non-sticky feel.
This ingredient is gentle, versatile, and suitable for all skin types.
Fun fact: Similar sugars can be found naturally in fruits like apples and pears.
Learn more about Biosaccharide Gum-1Ethoxydiglycol (aka Diethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether) is one of the cosmetic world's quiet problem solvers.
In a formula, it is a solvent that dissolves tricky ingredients that don't want to mix in and helps spread ingredients evenly across your skin without leaving a greasy or sticky feeling
This makes it great for hard-to-dissolve actives like vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, and self-tanner DHA.
It also has mild humectant and penetration enhancer abilities so it can help some actives absorb a little deeper.
The penetration boost is backed by lab research: studies using human skin samples found it improved how well an active dissolves into the upper layer of skin rather than tearing down your skin barrier. Reviews of its mechanism also describe it interacting gently with the lipids and water in your outermost layer of skin.
Just know this penetration-enhancing effect is not universal. It helps a lot in some formulas and did very little in others (so the benefit really depends on the specific product).
Safety-wise, the evidence is reassuring. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel reviewed it and concluded it's safe for use in cosmetics and recognized it as non-irritating, non-sensitizing, and non-comedogenic in skincare.
Typical leave-on skincare usage lands around 1-10%. The EU has sets caps of 2.6% in non-spray products, 10% in rinse-offs, 7% in oxidative hair dye, and 5% in non-oxidative hair dye.
Learn more about EthoxydiglycolSalicylic 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
