Skintific 2% Salicylic Acid Anti Acne Serum Versus Somethinc Calm Down! PHA 3% Soothing Everyday Toner
Updated on January 30, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing 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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Skintific 2% Salicylic Acid Anti Acne Serum 44 ingredients
Somethinc Calm Down! PHA 3% Soothing Everyday Toner 16 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Skintific 2% Salicylic Acid Anti Acne Serum 44 ingredients
Somethinc Calm Down! PHA 3% Soothing Everyday Toner 16 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
PPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingMethylpropanediol
SolventEctoin
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Platonin
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Disodium EDTA
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Malic Acid
Buffering
Peumus Boldus Leaf Extract
MaskingPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Menthol
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Royal Jelly Protein
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningGlycosphingolipids
EmollientPropanediol
SolventSodium Lactate
BufferingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Sucrose
HumectantUrea
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, 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, Platonin, Ceramide AP, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, 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 ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Annona Cherimola Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingTriethanolamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhenylpropanol
Masking
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterButylene 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.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
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 also help thicken or stabilize a product.
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 GlycolTriethanolamine 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 TriethanolamineDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
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.
Learn more about Sodium CitratePhenoxyethanol 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Skintific 2% Salicylic Acid Anti Acne Serum 44 ingredients
Somethinc Calm Down! PHA 3% Soothing Everyday Toner 16 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Skintific 2% Salicylic Acid Anti Acne Serum 44 ingredients
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.
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)
