This acne serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and refine the look of pores.
This acne serum is formulated around Lactic Acid and Carnitine to clear breakouts and balance excess oil.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantPPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingMethylpropanediol
SolventEctoin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingTartaric Acid
BufferingMalic Acid
BufferingPeumus Boldus Leaf Extract
MaskingPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingMenthol
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Royal Jelly Protein
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningGlycosphingolipids
EmollientPropanediol
SolventSodium Lactate
BufferingGlycolic Acid
BufferingSucrose
HumectantUrea
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, PPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salicylic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Methylpropanediol, Ectoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ceramide AP, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Ng, Centella Asiatica Extract, Disodium EDTA, Tartaric Acid, Malic Acid, Peumus Boldus Leaf Extract, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Allantoin, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Menthol, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Royal Jelly Protein, Oligopeptide-1, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycolipids, Glycosphingolipids, Propanediol, Sodium Lactate, Glycolic Acid, Sucrose, Urea, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMethylpropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGluconolactone
ChelatingGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCarnitine
CleansingSalicylic Acid
MaskingOctyldodecanol
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Dimethicone
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingGlycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Lactic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Gluconolactone, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Carnitine, Salicylic Acid, Octyldodecanol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Decylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sclerotium Gum, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citric Acid
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 GlycolMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSalicylic 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