This acne treatment is formulated around Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and balance excess oil.
This acne treatment is formulated around Tranexamic Acid and Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and calm redness.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentPolycitronellol Acetate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantUndecane
EmollientSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPropanediol
SolventTridecane
PerfumingBisabolol
AntioxidantLecithin
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Madecassoside
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPEG-8
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingSalicylic Acid
MaskingPhragmites Karka Extract
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingRetinol
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingIsostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPropylene Glycol
HumectantAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPropylene Glycol Alginate
Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Polycitronellol Acetate, Butylene Glycol, Trehalose, Undecane, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Tridecane, Bisabolol, Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Maltodextrin, Chlorphenesin, Allantoin, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycine Soja Oil, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Madecassoside, Disodium EDTA, Lactobacillus Ferment, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, PEG-8, Pentylene Glycol, Silica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Citrate, Salicylic Acid, Phragmites Karka Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Retinol, Dimethiconol, Carbomer, Isostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Tocopherol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Propylene Glycol Alginate
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantTranexamic Acid
AstringentSalicylic Acid
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantPropanediol
SolventAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingMelaleuca Leucadendron Cajaput Oil
MaskingMethylpropanediol
SolventAllantoin
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Rice Ferment
Skin ConditioningHexamidine Diisethionate
EmollientSulfur
AntiseborrhoeicDextrin
AbsorbentCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingStephania Tetrandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCalamine
AbsorbentCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingTrehalose
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Tranexamic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Propanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Melaleuca Leucadendron Cajaput Oil, Methylpropanediol, Allantoin, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment, Hexamidine Diisethionate, Sulfur, Dextrin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract, Calamine, Centella Asiatica Extract, Trehalose, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan Gum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-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
Acacia Senegal Gum has skin soothing, thickening, and formulation stabilizing properties. It comes from the Acacia tree that is native to sub-Saharan Africa.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylhydroxamic Acid is a chelating agent that helps cosmetics stay fresh, stable, and consistent over time.
Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted reactions and effects from using the product. It also helps prevent the growth of unwanted microbes in products that contain water.
Caprylhydroxamic Acid is often used with natural antimicrobial products as an alternative to preservatives.
Learn more about Caprylhydroxamic AcidGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSalicylic 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 AcidTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. 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