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Selfless by Hyram Salicylic Acid & Sea Kelp Pore Clearing and Oil Control Serum Versus Naturium Salicylic Acid Serum 2%

Serum
Serum
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain BHA

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, brightening skin, oily skin and reducing pores

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Solvent

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin. 

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol
Buffering

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol 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.

Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning

Salicylic 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 Acid
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

When to use

43 Routines
72% use in am
28% use in pm
84% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
59 Routines
42% use in am
58% use in pm
71% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Selfless by Hyram Salicylic Acid & Sea Kelp Pore Clearing and Oil Control Serum 19 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 1 rating
Great Value (1) Light (1) No Scent (1)
BubbIes's avatar

BubbIes

1 year ago
Review

Great ingredients, but I found this didn't do much for me personally. I found it a but too sticky and greasy feeling for day time use, but then again I'm more sensitive than most. I'm also suspicious that niacinamide and salicylic acid doesn't do for me what it does for others. So if you're looking for a good product with those ingredients, I'd give this a try. I also support Hyram <3

#great value
#light
#no scent

Naturium Salicylic Acid Serum 2% 13 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (2) Great Value (2) Light (2)
MichelleR's avatar

MichelleR

1 year ago
Review

I typically use Salicylic Acid made by Paula’s Choice (2% BHA Gel and 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliants). It’s interesting, that even though I already have two other Sal Acid products in my regimen, I believe there is a place for this one as well.

I use the 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant at night when I am having breakouts and need to leave a sort of gentle Sal Acid layer on overnight, to purge my skin.
I use Show more

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent
pressleytoney's avatar

pressley toney

7 months ago
Review

This is a new holy grail product for me. I suffer with really bad hormonal acne that randomly appears, and this product completely cleared it up in a little over a week. definitely recommend

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well