Hero Cosmetics Pimple Correct Acne Clearing Gel Pen Versus iUNIK Centella Calming AC Spot Cream
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, BHA and niacinamide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or 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
Hero Cosmetics Pimple Correct Acne Clearing Gel Pen 46 ingredients
iUNIK Centella Calming AC Spot Cream 43 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Hero Cosmetics Pimple Correct Acne Clearing Gel Pen 46 ingredients
iUNIK Centella Calming AC Spot Cream 43 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Nigella Sativa Seed Extract
Perfuming
Isopentyldiol
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentLactic Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polydextrose
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ceratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAgar
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Gellan Gum
Sodium Anisate
AntimicrobialAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingSebacic Acid
BufferingLimonene
Perfuming
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Butylene Glycol, Nigella Sativa Seed Extract, Isopentyldiol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Lactic Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Niacinamide, Polydextrose, Caffeine, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Agar, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Glycerin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Levulinate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Gellan Gum, Sodium Anisate, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Azelaic Acid, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Phosphate, Sebacic Acid, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Melaleuca Cajaputi Extract
Tonic
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Lactobacillus/Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Sprout Extract
Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantGlucuronic Acid
BufferingRhamnose
HumectantCordyceps Militaris Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantTotarol
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Polyisobutene
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Tromethamine
BufferingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Melaleuca Cajaputi Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Lactobacillus/Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Ferment Filtrate, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Sprout Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Glucuronic Acid, Rhamnose, Cordyceps Militaris Extract, Glucose, Totarol, Panthenol, Lactic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Salicylic Acid, Glycolipids, Adenosine, Gluconolactone, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Polyisobutene, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Cellulose Gum, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sorbitan Oleate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Ethoxydiglycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tromethamine
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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. 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.
Lactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidNiacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamideAllantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinGlycerin 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 Glycerin1,2-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
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 GlycolAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (let's call it AAVC for short) is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
AAVC is able to increase the consistency and viscosity of products due to its large molecule size. It also prevents ingredients from separating.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Hero Cosmetics Pimple Correct Acne Clearing Gel Pen 46 ingredients
iUNIK Centella Calming AC Spot Cream 43 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Hero Cosmetics Pimple Correct Acne Clearing Gel Pen 46 ingredients
This is a great lil pen to have in my purse if I need to treat a pimple I didn’t notice before leaving the house or when I’m traveling. I wish the pen was a little smaller so it’s more stealthy in my bag.
It’s okay, it leave like this weird peel on my skin, like a liquid pimple patch, I can’t really tell if it ever brought down my acne or not
iUNIK Centella Calming AC Spot Cream 43 ingredients
You'll need something stronger for cystic pimples, but this is wonderful for more minor acne.
