Updated on July 04, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain 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 or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances, oils 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
hyphen Acne Defence Daily Serum 40 ingredients
Peace Out Acne Serum 33 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
hyphen Acne Defence Daily Serum 40 ingredients
Peace Out Acne Serum 33 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexyl Cocoate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Olivate
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Zingiber Officinale Rhizome Extract
AntimicrobialMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingOlea Europaea Husk Oil
Skin Conditioning
Coleus Forskohlii Root Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Laurate
Emollient
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Methionine
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingOctadecyl Di-T-Butyl-4-Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Tetrahydropiperine
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethylisothiazolinone
Preservative
CI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Azelaic Acid, Ethylhexyl Cocoate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Cetyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 80, Cetearyl Olivate, Salicylic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Zingiber Officinale Rhizome Extract, Mandelic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Olea Europaea Husk Oil, Coleus Forskohlii Root Oil, Glyceryl Laurate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Trideceth-6, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Methionine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Octadecyl Di-T-Butyl-4-Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tetrahydropiperine, Sodium Gluconate, Potassium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Caprylyl Glycol, Decylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylisothiazolinone, CI 77288
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingZinc PCA
Humectant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
Astringent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Olivate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Polysilicone-11
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantTotarol
Antioxidant
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Isopentyldiol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Zinc PCA, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Saccharide Isomerate, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Cetearyl Olivate, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Olivate, Polysilicone-11, Decyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Maltodextrin, Ethoxydiglycol, Totarol, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Hydroxide
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 WaterNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
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.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideCetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also
Manufacturers use the name Olivem 1000. This ingredient has been found to preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria. This ingredient is grouped with Sorbitan Olivate under the name Olivem 1000.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateSalicylic 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 AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
Manufacturers sell sorbitan olivate under the name OliveM 1000. OliveM 1000 a multifunctional ingredient. It is self-emulsifying. According to a manufacturer, OliveM 1000 does not disrupt natural skin biome.
Due to its olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivatePotassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.
Sapnification is the process of creating fatty acid metal salts from triglycerides and a strong base. During this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used up and is not present in the final product.
Using high concentrations of Potassium Hydroxide have shown to irritate the skin.
Learn more about Potassium HydroxideDisodium 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 EDTACaprylyl 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 GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
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
hyphen Acne Defence Daily Serum 40 ingredients
Peace Out Acne Serum 33 ingredients
