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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Acne Serum Medicated Treatment versus Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum .

Last updated on January 05, 2024. Published on January 16, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain BHA and niacinamide

Suited For

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

Free From

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

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.

Serum Brand
Serum American Brand United States

Serum

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

Serum

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

Price

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
Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Ceramides (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (4)
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing (5)
Reduces Irritation (4)
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (5)
Dark Spots (4)
Scar Healing (3)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (5)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (2)
Rosacea
Eczema

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.

Salicylic Acid 1.5%WaterPropanediolGlycerinCaprylic/Capric TriglycerideDimethyl IsosorbideLactobacillus FermentCoconut AlkanesCoco-CaprylateNiacinamideCetearyl AlcoholBehenyl AlcoholCandelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 EstersTranexamic AcidHexyl LaurateGlycine Soja OilC15-19 AlkanePotassium Azeloyl DiglycinateHydrogenated PolydeceneGlyceryl Stearate Ceramide NPCeramide APBakuchiolFucus Spiralis ExtractTetraselmis Chui ExtractRhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit ExtractTasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf ExtractAcetyl GlucosamineHydrolyzed Sodium HyaluronateZinc SulfateMelia Azadirachta Leaf ExtractRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractThymus Vulgaris ExtractOriganum Vulgare Leaf ExtractCentella Asiatica Leaf ExtractSilybum Marianum Seed ExtractVitex Agnus-Castus ExtractHelianthus Annuus ExtractOryza Sativa Bran ExtractOryza Sativa ExtractOryza Sativa Germ ExtractAllantoinPanthenol1,2-HexanediolSodium Stearoyl LactylateCitric AcidXanthan GumPolyglyceryl-3 DiisostearatePolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Coco-Caprylate/CaprateCaprylhydroxamic AcidSodium PhytateTocopherolSodium BenzoatePotassium SorbateBiosaccharide Gum-1PhenoxyethanolSodium LevulinateGlyceryl CaprylateSodium Anisate

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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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: 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

iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Acne Serum Medicated Treatment contains this as ingredient number 1.

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

2
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

iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Acne Serum Medicated Treatment contains this as ingredient number 2.

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

3
What it does: Smoothing
Community Rating: Loved

Niacinamide 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 Niacinamide

iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Acne Serum Medicated Treatment contains this as ingredient number 10.

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Community Rating: Loved

Allantoin 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 Allantoin

iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Acne Serum Medicated Treatment contains this as ingredient number 42.

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum contains this as ingredient number 12.

5
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.

iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Acne Serum Medicated Treatment contains this as ingredient number 44.

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

6
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

iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Acne Serum Medicated Treatment contains this as ingredient number 46.

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

7
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Acne Serum Medicated Treatment contains this as ingredient number 47.

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum contains this as ingredient number 34.

8
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

iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Acne Serum Medicated Treatment contains this as ingredient number 50.

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

9
What it does:
Community Rating: Liked

Sodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.

Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.

iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Acne Serum Medicated Treatment contains this as ingredient number 52.

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum contains this as ingredient number 31.

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

45% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
27% are disliked or very disliked
15% have no rating yet
44% are loved or liked
17% 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

iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Acne Serum Medicated Treatment 60 ingredients

Acne Serum Medicated Treatment hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

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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