Medinova - Hiruscar Anti Acne Advance Spot Gel Versus Hero Cosmetics Pimple Correct Acne Clearing Gel Pen
Overview
What they are
These products are both facial treatments. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, 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, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils
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
Medinova - Hiruscar Anti Acne Advance Spot Gel 28 ingredients
Hero Cosmetics Pimple Correct Acne Clearing Gel Pen 46 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Medinova - Hiruscar Anti Acne Advance Spot Gel 28 ingredients
Hero Cosmetics Pimple Correct Acne Clearing Gel Pen 46 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Allium Cepa Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningFomes Officinalis Extract
Skin ProtectingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Methylparaben
Preservative
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Abrasive
Bisabolol
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycosaminoglycans
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ethyl Ether
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Butylparaben
Masking
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
Quaternium-73
Water, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Dipropylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Allium Cepa Bulb Extract, Fomes Officinalis Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Polyacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Methylparaben, Allantoin, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Bisabolol, Disodium EDTA, Lactic Acid, Glycosaminoglycans, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ethyl Ether, Glycerin, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Quaternium-73
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Nigella Sativa Seed Extract
Perfuming
Isopentyldiol
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentLactic Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polydextrose
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ceratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAgar
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Gellan Gum
Sodium Anisate
AntimicrobialAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingSebacic Acid
BufferingLimonene
Perfuming
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Butylene Glycol, Nigella Sativa Seed Extract, Isopentyldiol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Lactic Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Niacinamide, Polydextrose, Caffeine, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Agar, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Glycerin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Levulinate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Gellan Gum, Sodium Anisate, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Azelaic Acid, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Phosphate, Sebacic Acid, Limonene
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 WaterButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
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 NiacinamideAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (let's call it AAVC for short) is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
AAVC is able to increase the consistency and viscosity of products due to its large molecule size. It also prevents ingredients from separating.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder comes from the aloe plant.
You may know Aloe to be a good sunburn reliever and inflammation reducer. This is because it contains many components that are known to help reduce irritation and itchiness.
Aloe leaves are also great moisturizers. They are naturally rich in polysaccharides, a carbohydrate made of sugars. Polysaccharides are able to mimic the carbs found in the top layer of your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
Aloe contains the antioxidants Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins neutralize free radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Aloe does not protect against UV rays, despite it soothing sunburns.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice PowderSalicylic 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 AcidSodium Polyacrylate is the sodium salt of polyacrylic acid. It is used as an absorber, emollient, and stabilizer.
This ingredient is a super-absorbent polymer - meaning it can absorb 100 to 1000 times its mass in water. As an emollient, Sodium Polyacrylate helps soften and soothe skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
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 AllantoinLactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Medinova - Hiruscar Anti Acne Advance Spot Gel 28 ingredients
Hero Cosmetics Pimple Correct Acne Clearing Gel Pen 46 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Medinova - Hiruscar Anti Acne Advance Spot Gel 28 ingredients
At first this gel helped to take out a developing whitehead quickly. But it left my skin feeling irritated and cystic acne developed after I rubbed the gel around an affected area.
Hero Cosmetics Pimple Correct Acne Clearing Gel Pen 46 ingredients
This is a great lil pen to have in my purse if I need to treat a pimple I didn’t notice before leaving the house or when I’m traveling. I wish the pen was a little smaller so it’s more stealthy in my bag.
It’s okay, it leave like this weird peel on my skin, like a liquid pimple patch, I can’t really tell if it ever brought down my acne or not
