Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner Versus Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum
Updated on June 03, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe . They have a total of 3 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens and fragrances
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
Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner 26 ingredients
Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum 24 ingredients
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner 26 ingredients
Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum 24 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Ingredients Side-by-side
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.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
6 Benefits
Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
This ingredient is created by distilling parts of the tea tree plant. The bark and leaves of the tea tree plant are rich in Terpinen, an antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory ingredient.
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate comes from Capric Acid and Polyglycerin-4. It is an emulsifier.
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract comes from the papaya fruit. Papayas were first domesticated in Mexico and Central America.
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract comes from the witch hazel plant.
Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract comes from the Lotus Flower, Nelumbiumspeciosum.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Preservative 5 Benefits 4 Concerns
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.
4 Benefits 2 Concerns
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
Oil EU Allergen
Mentha Piperita Oil is the volatile oil obtained from the whole plant of the Peppermint plant.
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Swiftlet Nest Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Fructan, Allantoin, Adenosine, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Xylitol, Salicylic Acid, Lactobionic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Benzyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Raspberry Ketone, Mentha Piperita Oil
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.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring acid derived from grains. This ingredient is effective in treating acne, rosacea, and other skin conditions.
Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.
Zinc PCA (or "zinc salt") differs slightly from zinc itself. PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid. However, Zinc PCA comes from zinc.
Biosaccharide Gum-1 is a sugar created from fermented sorbitol. Most sorbitol is made from potato starch.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
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.
Sodium levulinate is the a sodium salt of Levulinic Acid. If dissolved in an aqueous solution, the two ingredients become identical.
Glyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid, a fatty acid from coconut.
Sodium Anisate comes from fennel. It is used as a preservative and to add flavoring.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
This is the synthetic salt of gluconic acid, a form of PHA and mild exfoliant.
Fragrance Preservative 6 Concerns
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Dehydroacetic Acid is fungicide and bactericide. It is used as a preservative in cosmetics. Preservatives help elongate the shelf life of a product.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
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.
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.
4 Benefits 2 Concerns
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Propylene Glycol, Azelaic Acid, Betaine, Zinc PCA, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Glycerin, Triticum Vulgare Seed Extract, Triticum Turgidum Durum Seed Extract, Eragrostis Tef Seed Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Levulinate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Anisate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Gluconate, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid
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 WaterGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner 26 ingredients
Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum 24 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner 26 ingredients
RasberryIce
Texture: watery
Smell: pleasant but a bit strong
Honestly kinda mid.
I feel like it helps mild acne but is a no for sensitive skin and people...
Texture: watery
Smell: pleasant but a bit strong
Honestly kinda mid.
I feel like it helps mild acne but is a no for sensitive skin and people who's barrier is f up. The combination of three different exfoliating acids in miniscule concentrations feels all over the place and can further sensitivity. I think what's actually working in the product is the 2% niacinamide.
Overall it's okay, would recommend to people who're oily, with very mild acne or few comedomes. But anyone with sensitive or/and dry skin stay away, cause it's not for you and has fragrance.
P.s. Do NOT use this with the whole 30 days miracle line, it WILL destroy your skin barrier in those 30 days. I know cause it happened to me.
This also happened to my skin, i used this toner for 30 days. Sadly, it destroyed my skin barrier.
This also happened to my skin, i used this toner for 30 days. Sadly, it destroyed my skin barrier.
Laila
It didn't do much for me as my skin felt the same with or without it, plus I didn't like how it always foamed up when I even tap it in.
Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum 24 ingredients
CentellaAddict
Did basically nothing
Saw no change in my acne or hyperpigmentation, I thought I was purging while using it but my acne only stopped once I stopped...
Did basically nothing
Saw no change in my acne or hyperpigmentation, I thought I was purging while using it but my acne only stopped once I stopped using this product, didn't deliver any of the benefits of azelaic acid
AnaRitaSantos
Good & reliable azelaic acid product
I like this product because the formulation is effective and straightforward, it gets the job done without...
Good & reliable azelaic acid product
I like this product because the formulation is effective and straightforward, it gets the job done without causing any irritation, it has no compatibility issues with other products , it feels right on the skin and it's affordable and easy to get if you live in europe. There are formulations I like a little bit better (Peach Slices) but they are way too expensive and inacessible for me to buy on a regular basis. Q+A azelaic acid is the next best thing that is much more friendly on the wallet and easier to mantain on a regular routine.
.jpg)
