This acne treatment is formulated around Azelaic Acid and Boswellia Serrata Extract to clear breakouts and calm redness.
This acne serum is formulated around Glycolic Acid and Niacinamide to clear breakouts and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Avocadate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXylitylglucoside
Humectant
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Boswellia Serrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Azelaic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Butyl Avocadate, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xylitylglucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sclerotium Gum, Chlorphenesin, Boswellia Serrata Extract, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
PEG-30 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Phytic Acid
Polyquaternium-10
Parfum
Masking
Water, Alcohol Denat., Propanediol, Glycolic Acid, Niacinamide, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Pentylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Citric Acid, PEG-30 Glyceryl Cocoate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Maltodextrin, Phytic Acid, Polyquaternium-10, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
