Numbuzin Zero Blemish Clarifying 2% Sulfur Cleansing Foam Versus Numbuzin Zero Blemish Azela Cica Balancing Dual Pads
This salicylic acid foaming cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.
This acne toner pad uses a pre-saturated pad with Azelaic 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 ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Lauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingColloidal Sulfur
Antimicrobial
Gluconolactone
Chelating
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
MaskingHectorite
AbsorbentHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantCitric Acid
Buffering
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyquaternium-67
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Phytate
ChelatingDextrin
AbsorbentMannitol
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-10 Isostearate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Colloidal Sulfur, Gluconolactone, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Zea Mays Starch, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Hectorite, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Citric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyquaternium-67, Propanediol, Sodium Phytate, Dextrin, Mannitol, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Polyglyceryl-10 Isostearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Butylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Ethylhexylglycerin, Salicylic Acid, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Diethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventTromethamine
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Gluconolactone
Chelating
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
ChelatingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Hypochlorous Acid
Antiseborrhoeic
Citric Acid
Buffering
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Water, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Tromethamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Azelaic Acid, Gluconolactone, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Salicylic Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hypochlorous Acid, Citric Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid
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
Butylene 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 GlycolCitric 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.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneSalicylic 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 AcidWater. 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
