Safi Acne Solutions Whipped Foam Sebum Cleanser Versus Safi Acne Solutions 3 in 1 Cica Micellar Gel Cleanser
This salicylic acid foaming cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.
This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingLauric Acid
Cleansing
Kaolin
Abrasive
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Surfactant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Methylpropanediol
SolventGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentasodium Triphosphate
BufferingBHT
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-7
Zinc Lactate
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Perfluorodecalin
Skin Conditioning4-Butylresorcinol
Antioxidant
Dextrin
AbsorbentSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientSucrose Palmitate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Myristic Acid, Glycerin, Palmitic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid, Kaolin, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Stearic Acid, Methylpropanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Decyl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentasodium Triphosphate, BHT, Tetrasodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-7, Zinc Lactate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Salicylic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Arginine, Perfluorodecalin, 4-Butylresorcinol, Dextrin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Lecithin, Glycosphingolipids, Sucrose Palmitate, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate
Surfactant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
PEG-8
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Dextrin
AbsorbentPolydextrose
HumectantAmylopectin
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, PEG-8, Sodium Hydroxide, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Propylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Mandelic Acid, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Salicylic Acid, Dextrin, Polydextrose, Amylopectin, Niacinamide, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolDextrin is a starch-derived polysaccharide. It's made by partially breaking down corn, potato, or other plant starches.
Think of it as "half-processed" starch; it's less complex than the original but not fully broken down into sugar like maltodextrin.
In cosmetics, it mainly functions as a bulking agent, viscosity controller, binder, and absorbent. It helps thicken products, stabilize powders, and get certain textures a less "wet" feel.
This ingredient has a pretty solid safety profile; it's recognized as a safe food additive and its large molecular size means it doesn't meaningfully penetrate skin.
Human repeat insult patch tests using a rinse-off facial product containing 42.69% dextrin found no skin irritation or sensitization in 54 subjects.
Typical real-world usage is much lower: usually under 1% as a texture modifier and up to 40% in masks (rinse off products use less).
Learn more about DextrinMandelic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA).
Like other AHAs, it helps exfoliate the surface of the skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
Mandelic acid helps with:
Due to it having a larger molecular size than glycolic acid, mandelic acid is able to penetrate the skin more slowly and evenly. This makes it gentler and less irritating, making it a great option for sensitive or beginner skin.
Despite being milder, mandelic acid is still an effective exfoliant that improves skin texture and tone over time.
What makes mandelic acid stand out from other AHAs? It has antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
These traits make it a great option for acne-prone or problem skin by reducing active breakouts and fading post-acne marks. Studies show that mandelic acid (especially when combined with salicylic acid) can significantly reduce pimples and hyperpigmentation while causing fewer side effects than stronger acids.
Mandelic acid is effective in concentrations of 5% and up with an ideal pH range of 3-4 for at-home use.
Like other AHAs, it’s important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your newly exfoliated skin.
However, unlike glycolic acid, mandelic acid is light-sensitive. Be sure your mandelic acid is packaged in opaque containers to ensure it stays stable and effective.
In short, mandelic acid is a gentle yet powerful AHA that exfoliates, brightens, and helps clarify skin while keeping irritation low. Its antibacterial action makes it especially beneficial for those with acne-prone, sensitive, or uneven skin, offering smoother, clearer, and more even-toned results over time.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Mandelic AcidThis ingredient is also known as neem leaf extract. It contains natural compounds like nimbidin, quercetin, and other polyphenols that give it antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activity.
Lab studies have shown neem leaf extract can inhibit acne-related bacteria and help calm skin. Animal studies on wound gels using 1-3% neem leaf extract found it sped up healing without causing irritation.
A wound-healing study testing gels with the extract at 1%, 2%, and 3% concentrations and found none of them irritated the skin.
Most commercial products also use it in a similar low range (typically under 5%).
Allergy-wise, there are some case reports on neem oil causing allergic contact dermatitis so people with plant/botanical sensitivities may want to patch test first.
Learn more about Melia Azadirachta Leaf ExtractPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSalicylic 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
