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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Skintific 2% Salicylic Acid Anti Acne Serum versus Somethinc Calm Down! PHA 3% Soothing Everyday Toner .

Published on June 01, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, sensitive skin and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Serum Malaysian Brand Malaysia
Toner Indonesian Brand Indonesia

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Toner

Toners are used as a “last-step” cleanser, a pH balancer, add moisture to the skin, or may help in reducing impurities on the skin. They have a liquid consistency and are usually used after cleansers but before treatments.

Price

Shop

Buy 2% Salicylic Acid Anti Acne Serum

Shop

Buy Calm Down! PHA 3% Soothing Everyday Toner

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

AHA (3)
BHA
Niacinamide
Ceramides (3)
Hyaluronic Acid
Peptides

Benefits

Hydrating (4)
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing (7)
Reduces Irritation (6)
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores (4)
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (4)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (6)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating (4)
Rosacea (6)
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

PHA

Benefits

Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Skintific 2% Salicylic Acid Anti Acne Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Somethinc Calm Down! PHA 3% Soothing Everyday Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Skintific 2% Salicylic Acid Anti Acne Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

Somethinc Calm Down! PHA 3% Soothing Everyday Toner contains this as ingredient number 4.

3
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol

Skintific 2% Salicylic Acid Anti Acne Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

Somethinc Calm Down! PHA 3% Soothing Everyday Toner contains this as ingredient number 11.

4
What it does: Buffering, Emulsifying, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Triethanolamine is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.

As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.

PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.

Learn more about Triethanolamine

Skintific 2% Salicylic Acid Anti Acne Serum contains this as ingredient number 10.

Somethinc Calm Down! PHA 3% Soothing Everyday Toner contains this as ingredient number 7.

5
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA

Skintific 2% Salicylic Acid Anti Acne Serum contains this as ingredient number 19.

Somethinc Calm Down! PHA 3% Soothing Everyday Toner contains this as ingredient number 8.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Skintific 2% Salicylic Acid Anti Acne Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.

Somethinc Calm Down! PHA 3% Soothing Everyday Toner contains this as ingredient number 9.

7
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.

Sodium Citrate helps maintain the pH of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.

Sodium Citrate is a chelating agent. It neutralizes metal ions from water and prevents them from binding to other ingredients. This ensures the other ingredients will not be altered.

Learn more about Sodium Citrate

Skintific 2% Salicylic Acid Anti Acne Serum contains this as ingredient number 42.

Somethinc Calm Down! PHA 3% Soothing Everyday Toner contains this as ingredient number 10.

8
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

Skintific 2% Salicylic Acid Anti Acne Serum contains this as ingredient number 43.

Somethinc Calm Down! PHA 3% Soothing Everyday Toner contains this as ingredient number 5.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

44% are loved or liked
21% have mixed ratings
21% are disliked or very disliked
14% have no rating yet
25% are loved or liked
25% have mixed ratings
31% are disliked or very disliked
19% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Skintific 2% Salicylic Acid Anti Acne Serum 43 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 2 ratings
laukberanang's avatar

laukberanang

9 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

LOVE!
I'll tell you. I've got zit that day, so I applied this serum. The next day, it left with just the bump. The white yellowish zit? Where? I...

LOVE!
I'll tell you. I've got zit that day, so I applied this serum. The next day, it left with just the bump. The white yellowish zit? Where? I dunno. Its GONE! Run bestie. Go buy it bestie.

*Do not pop your zit okay. Just apply this before you go to sleep.

Ericj89's avatar

Ericj89

3 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

Texture: Lightweight serum. Slightly moisturizing.
Scent: No scent
Performance: Gentle BHA for acne and blackhead.
Pros: Contain ceramide for...

Texture: Lightweight serum. Slightly moisturizing.
Scent: No scent
Performance: Gentle BHA for acne and blackhead.
Pros: Contain ceramide for skin barrier.
Cons: Contain PEG
WRP/WNRP: Maybe WNRP (trying other products with multi-function and lighter texture)

Somethinc Calm Down! PHA 3% Soothing Everyday Toner 16 ingredients

Calm Down! PHA 3% Soothing Everyday Toner hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 29 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Skintific 2% Salicylic Acid Anti Acne Serum.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 44 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Somethinc Calm Down! PHA 3% Soothing Everyday Toner.

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