Pilgrim Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide Oil Control Serum Versus The Derma Co 1% Salicylic Acid Gel Face Wash with Salicylic Acid & Witch Hazel
Updated on February 13, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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Ingredient Info
Pilgrim Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide Oil Control Serum 23 ingredients
The Derma Co 1% Salicylic Acid Gel Face Wash with Salicylic Acid & Witch Hazel 15 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Pilgrim Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide Oil Control Serum 23 ingredients
The Derma Co 1% Salicylic Acid Gel Face Wash with Salicylic Acid & Witch Hazel 15 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Propanediol
SolventCamellia Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Melia Azadirachta Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Sodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Heptyl Glucoside
Hydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Water, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Propanediol, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Melia Azadirachta Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Gluconate, Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Heptyl Glucoside, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C16 Olefin Sulfonate
EmulsifyingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Cocamide Mea
EmulsifyingSodium Lactate
BufferingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Oleate
Emollient
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Triethylene Glycol
Masking
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 WaterSalicylic 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 AcidSalix Alba Bark Extract comes from the white willow tree, which is native to Europe and Central Asia.
Salix Alba Bark Extract has often been described as salicylic acid's cousin. This is due to the salicin it contains. However, studies are limited showing salix alba bark to be an effective salicylic acid alternative.
Salicin does have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It has shown to decrease the formation of inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-α and nuclear factor-kappa B. Salicin also has a mildly exfoliating effect on the skin.
Several other components in salix alba bark extract also contain antioxidant properties, such as flavonoids and polyphenols. Antioxidants may help with anti-aging as they neutralize harmful free-radical molecules.
Willow Bark extract has been used for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations used white willow to help treat pain and fevers.
Learn more about Salix Alba Bark ExtractSodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and sometimes used to adjust the pH of a product.
This ingredient is part of our skin's NMF, or natural moisturizing factor. Our NMF is essential for the hydration of our top skin layers and plasticity of skin. NMF also influences our skin's natural acid mantle and pH, which protects our skin from harmful bacteria.
High percentages of Sodium Lactate can have an exfoliating effect.
Fun fact: Sodium Lactate is produced from fermented sugar.
Learn more about Sodium LactatePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Pilgrim Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide Oil Control Serum 23 ingredients
The Derma Co 1% Salicylic Acid Gel Face Wash with Salicylic Acid & Witch Hazel 15 ingredients
