Somethinc Acne Shot Ac Overnight Treatment Spot Cream Versus Somethinc Acne Treatment 2% Salicylic Acid Serum
This acne treatment is formulated around Kaolin and Bentonite to clear breakouts and balance excess oil.
This acne exfoliator is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Calcite Powder
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Bentonite
Absorbent
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingAmylopectin
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDextrin
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Rhodosorus Marinus Extract
Antioxidant
Thymol
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid
Skin ConditioningSebacic Acid
Buffering1,10-Decanediol
SolventQuaternium-73
Water, Kaolin, Calcite Powder, Butylene Glycol, Bentonite, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Amylopectin, Xanthan Gum, Dextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Rhodosorus Marinus Extract, Thymol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, 10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid, Sebacic Acid, 1,10-Decanediol, Quaternium-73
Water
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingTrehalose
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberDisodium EDTA
Tromethamine
BufferingHydrolyzed Algin
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingPhragmites Karka Extract
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Zinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Salicylic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, Trehalose, Pentylene Glycol, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Disodium EDTA, Tromethamine, Hydrolyzed Algin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Citrate, Phragmites Karka Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Zinc Sulfate, CI 19140, CI 17200, Tocopherol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
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 this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
