SVR Sebiaclear Mat + Pores Mattifying Care Versus Pharmaceris T Cream Azeloacne With 20% Azelaic Acid
This oil-control treatment is formulated around Silica and Gluconolactone to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores.
This acne treatment is formulated around Azelaic Acid and Ellagic Acid to clear breakouts and calm redness.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Propanediol
Solvent
Gluconolactone
Chelating
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Undecane
EmollientOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Tridecane
Perfuming
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sarcosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Silica, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Niacinamide, Undecane, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Tridecane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Salicylic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sarcosine, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-30 Stearate
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Ellagic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Glabridin
BleachingHonokiol
Antioxidant
Magnolol
Antioxidant
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cocoglycerides
Emollient
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Cellulose
Absorbent
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzoic Acid
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Water, Azelaic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, PEG-30 Stearate, Lecithin, Ellagic Acid, Glabridin, Honokiol, Magnolol, Isopropyl Myristate, Isohexadecane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Cocoglycerides, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 80, Cellulose, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sorbitan Oleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzoic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Dehydroacetic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateWater. 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
