This acne treatment is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Azelaic Acid to clear breakouts and refine the look of pores.
This acne treatment is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide to clear breakouts and balance excess oil.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid 10%
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingKaolin
AbrasivePropanediol
SolventStearyl Alcohol
EmollientC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide 2%
SmoothingBentonite
AbsorbentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingZinc PCA
HumectantCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCoconut Alcohol
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningStearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningAmylopectin
Dextrin
AbsorbentPolydextrose
HumectantGlucose
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Azelaic Acid 10%, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Kaolin, Propanediol, Stearyl Alcohol, C14-22 Alcohols, Niacinamide 2%, Bentonite, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Zinc PCA, Coco-Glucoside, Coconut Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Amylopectin, Dextrin, Polydextrose, Glucose, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingBentonite
AbsorbentNiacinamide
SmoothingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientPalmitoyl Grape Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingArginine
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingCitral
PerfumingCymbopogon Citratus Leaf Oil
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingCitronellol
PerfumingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLavandula Hybrida Oil
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentMelissa Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingHydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
AntioxidantSodium Citrate
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Microcrystalline Cellulose, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Bentonite, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Palmitoyl Grape Seed Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Arginine, Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Stearate, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Citral, Cymbopogon Citratus Leaf Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Citronellol, CI 77492, Geraniol, Linalool, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Maltodextrin, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Oil, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Sodium Citrate, Limonene
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bentonite is an aluminium phyllosilicate clay with great absorbent properties. The name 'bentonite' comes from the area where the largest source is found: Fort Benton, Wyoming.
As a clay, bentonite is often used to absorb excess oil and provide exfoliation. It has also been shown to have some antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies show bentonite was effective at calming dermatitis from poison ivy and in diaper dermatitis of infants. Bentonite has also been shown to act as a barrier against toxic compounds on your skin.
Sunscreens containing bentonite display higher water resistance and stay on the skin for much longer. The sunscreens containing bentonite also show higher potency and UV light absorbtion.
Bentonite is naturally created from volcanic ash and several natural weathering/hydrothermal processes.
A common usage of bentonite is removing excess protein from white wines. Bentonite contains a property of being able to absorb large amounts of protein from aqueous solutions.
Phyllosilicate clay has a structure formed by sheets.
Learn more about BentoniteGlycerin (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 GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideSalicylic 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 WaterXanthan 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