Somethinc AHA BHA PHA Peeling Solution 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 facial treatments. They have a total of 9 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 harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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 AHA BHA PHA Peeling Solution 20 ingredients
Somethinc 2% BHA Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment 20 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Somethinc AHA BHA PHA Peeling Solution 20 ingredients
Somethinc 2% BHA Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment 20 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Triethanolamine
BufferingGlycerin
Humectant
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingAmylopectin
Dextrin
AbsorbentHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCI 16255
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Trehalose
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene 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.
Triethanolamine 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 TriethanolamineSalicylic 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 AcidPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate comes from Capric Acid and Polyglycerin-4. It is an emulsifier.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. They do this by preventing ingredients from separating, such as oils and water which do not mix naturally.
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 HydroxyethylcellulosePhenoxyethanol 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.
Disodium 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 EDTACI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Ci 17200 is a synthetic reddish-purple dye.
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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Somethinc AHA BHA PHA Peeling Solution 20 ingredients
Somethinc 2% BHA Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment 20 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
