This acne serum is formulated around Gluconolactone and Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and refine skin texture.
This acne treatment is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Bakuchiol to clear breakouts and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
MaskingSarcosine
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDenatonium Benzoate
MaskingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPEG-8 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningC9-12 Alkane
SolventGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingIsopentyldiol
HumectantCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantBakuchiol
AntimicrobialMyristyl Nicotinate
Skin ConditioningTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentBackhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract
AstringentZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantXylitol
HumectantCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylic Acid
CleansingParfum
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Algin
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarnitine
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingPolylysine
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingWater, Propanediol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Triheptanoin, C9-12 Alkane, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Diheptyl Succinate, Salicylic Acid, Isopentyldiol, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Glycerin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Cetyl Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Saccharide Isomerate, Bakuchiol, Myristyl Nicotinate, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Bisabolol, Xylitol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Caprylic Acid, Parfum, Pentylene Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Hydrolyzed Algin, Caprylyl Glycol, Carnitine, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Polylysine, Sodium Hydroxide, Geraniol, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSalicylic 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 AcidSodium 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.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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 WaterXanthan 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.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum