This acne serum is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and balance excess oil.
This acne moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and strengthen the skin barrier.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPoloxamer 184
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Menthol
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicDisodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Betaine, Salicylic Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Poloxamer 184, Panthenol, Sodium Hydroxide, Allantoin, Menthol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Benzoate, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningParaffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Cyclohexane
SolventHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Water, Paraffinum Liquidum, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Stearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Niacinamide, Cetyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide As, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Cyclohexane, Hydrogenated Lecithin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinSalicylic 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
