Somethinc 5% Niacinamide Barrier Serum Versus Somethinc 2% BHA Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment
Updated on January 30, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe . They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
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 harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or silicones
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 5% Niacinamide Barrier Serum 29 ingredients
Somethinc 2% BHA Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment 20 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Somethinc 5% Niacinamide Barrier Serum 29 ingredients
Somethinc 2% BHA Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment 20 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Rosa Damascena Flower Water 48%
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide 5%
Smoothing
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventSodium PCA
HumectantBetaine
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Octanediol
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Algae Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Rosa Damascena Flower Water 48%, Glycerin, Niacinamide 5%, Water, Methylpropanediol, Sodium PCA, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Zinc PCA, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Octanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceramide NP, Hydrolyzed Algae Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Carbomer, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Allantoin, Caffeine, Ceramide EOP, Tocopherol
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
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 Water1,2-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.
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Somethinc 5% Niacinamide Barrier Serum 29 ingredients
Somethinc 2% BHA Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment 20 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Somethinc 5% Niacinamide Barrier Serum 29 ingredients
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
