Somethinc 2% BHA Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Versus The Originote Acne B5 Serum
Updated on January 30, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens or silicones
What's Inside
They both contain 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
Somethinc 2% BHA Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment 20 ingredients
The Originote Acne B5 Serum 27 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Somethinc 2% BHA Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment 20 ingredients
The Originote Acne B5 Serum 27 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Trehalose
HumectantPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberDisodium EDTA
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Algin
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantPhragmites Karka Extract
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Zinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Water, Acacia Senegal Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Trehalose, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Triethanolamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Algin, CI 19140, Phragmites Karka Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, CI 17200, Phenoxyethanol, Zinc Sulfate
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Propanediol
SolventZinc PCA
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dextrin
AbsorbentIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingStephania Tetrandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Graveolens Oil
Masking
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Zinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Artemisia Argyi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCalophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
CI 74260
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Propanediol, Zinc PCA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Alcohol, Allantoin, Salix Alba Bark Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dextrin, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Zinc Sulfate, Retinyl Palmitate, Artemisia Argyi Leaf Extract, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, CI 74260
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 WaterSalicylic 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.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
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 a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic Acid1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
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.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Hydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcelluloseZinc Sulfate is a type of sulfate.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Somethinc 2% BHA Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment 20 ingredients
The Originote Acne B5 Serum 27 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Somethinc 2% BHA Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment 20 ingredients
tbh I didn't expect much but boy was I wrong. all my stubborn closed comedones gone within a week and bonus my skin texture is improving. ofc my facial wash helps but I wish I thought about salicylic acid much earlier 🥹 this is my first salicylic acid serum and I love it, new HG. I checked ingredients via SkinSort before buying, to make sure it's fungal acne safe and match my other skin concerns. Show more
