Marina Expert White & Glow Gel Facial Foam - Acne Clear+ Versus Senka Perfect Whip Medicated Cleanser
This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.
This salicylic acid foaming cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingNiacinamide
SmoothingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArtemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCetylpyridinium Chloride
AntimicrobialSalicylic Acid
MaskingBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingTetrasodium EDTA
DMDM Hydantoin
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingBHT
AntioxidantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Lauryl Glucoside, Niacinamide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Cetylpyridinium Chloride, Salicylic Acid, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Panthenol, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Tetrasodium EDTA, DMDM Hydantoin, Sodium Benzoate, BHT, CI 19140, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingMyristic Acid
CleansingPEG-8
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingLauric Acid
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialSalicylic Acid
MaskingBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingPolyquaternium-7
Parfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
PEG-90m
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSericin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveBHT
AntioxidantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingWater, Stearic Acid, Myristic Acid, PEG-8, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Beeswax, Polyquaternium-7, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, PEG-90m, CI 77288, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Metaphosphate, CI 77492, CI 77491, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Sericin, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Silica, BHT, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTButylene 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPotassium Hydroxide (also known as potash) is a strong alkaline ingredient that does one job: it nudges a product's pH up so the whole formula lands in a skin-friendly range.
It's also the base that turns oils into liquid soap during the soap making process.
An expert safety panel reviewed it and found it safe when formulations are made to be non-irritating.
As a pH adjuster, it's typically used well under 1% though regulatory caps go much higher: 5% in nail cuticle removers and 2-4.5% in hair straighteners.
Though there is some concern for irritation from raw or high pH material, a well-balanced formula will be a non-issue for the vast majority of people.
Learn more about Potassium HydroxideSalicylic 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 AcidSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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