Updated on March 12, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both toners. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols
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
Acnes Clear Lotion 19 ingredients
Acnes Powder Lotion 17 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Acnes Clear Lotion 19 ingredients
Acnes Powder Lotion 17 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
PEG-7
Humectant
Disodium Succinate
MaskingHydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
EDTA
Succinic Acid
BufferingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
C4-18 Alkyl Methacrylate/Methacryloyloxyethyl Phosphorylcholine Copolymer
HumectantParfum
Masking
O-Cymen-5-Ol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Cetyl Phosphate, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Arginine, PEG-7, Disodium Succinate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, EDTA, Succinic Acid, Alcohol, C4-18 Alkyl Methacrylate/Methacryloyloxyethyl Phosphorylcholine Copolymer, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Disodium Succinate
MaskingSilica
Abrasive
Succinic Acid
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Menthol
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is usually an astringent alcohol.
These alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Fatty alcohols come from plant oils such as coconut oil. These can help hydrate the skin and are non-irritating. Some fatty alcohols include cetyl and stearyl alcohol.
Learn more about AlcoholAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract is an extract of the leaves of the aloe, Aloe barbadensis, Liliaceae.
Aloe is one of the most well-known natural soothing ingredients, and for good reason. It’s full of water and has a cooling, calming effect on the skin, especially when it’s sunburned, itchy, or irritated. Aloe also helps your skin stay hydrated and smooth by mimicking what healthy skin naturally produces. On top of that, it contains vitamins and nutrients that support skin recovery.
It doesn’t protect you from the sun, but it can help your skin bounce back after too much time in it.
Let’s get into the details:
Aloe contains antioxidant Vitamins A, C, and E, which help fight off free radicals (unstable molecules from things like pollution that can damage your skin).
It’s also rich in polysaccharides, which are natural sugars that help hydrate the skin by acting like the skin’s own moisturizing agents. These, along with other sugars like monosaccharides, help form a protective barrier that locks in moisture.
Aloe works as both a humectant and an emollient. That means it draws water into the skin (humectant) and helps trap it there (emollient), making it an effective natural moisturizer.
You’ll also find a mix of other skin-supporting ingredients in aloe, including folic acid, choline, calcium, amino acids, fatty acids, and even Vitamin B12.
Out of the 420+ species of aloe, Aloe barbadensis is the most widely used in skincare products thanks to its gentle yet effective properties.
There are over 420 species of aloe but Aloe Barbadensis is the most commonly used for topical products.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractButylene 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 GlycolDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateWe don't have a description for Disodium Succinate yet.
Lactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the “glue” that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they don’t penetrate as deeply. This means they’re less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skin’s microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidThis ingredient is more commonly known as IPMP or Isopropyl Methylphenol. It is a preservative and has antimicrobial properties.
According to the EPA, this ingredient is allowed for use in cleansers, creams, powders, bath products, toothpaste, perfume, and more.
Succinic acid is an odorless white powder. It is naturally found in our bodies but can also be derived from living organisms.
Succinic acid is water-soluble. The pH level of this ingredient is between 4.2 and 5.6.
While succinic acid posesses antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, these properties have not been studied in skincare products.
Fun fact: Succinic acid was known as the 'spirit of amber' in the past. This is because it used to be derived from distilling amber.
Learn more about Succinic AcidIngredient Ratings
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Acnes Clear Lotion 19 ingredients
Acnes Powder Lotion 17 ingredients
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