tbh. Acne Hack Cream Versus tbh. Acne Hack Spot Treatment
Updated on January 15, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols and oils
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
tbh. Acne Hack Cream 8 ingredients
tbh. Acne Hack Spot Treatment 18 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
tbh. Acne Hack Cream 8 ingredients
tbh. Acne Hack Spot Treatment 18 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Sodium Citrate
BufferingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Olivate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydrogenated Olive Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingOlea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin Conditioning
Benzalkonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Water, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sodium Citrate, Behenyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Benzalkonium Chloride, Stearic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Isopropyl Alcohol is more commonly known as rubbing alcohol. It is most commonly used as a solvent, meaning it helps other ingredients dissolve.
This ingredient is an astringent alcohol. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin as they high amounts may strip away your skin's natural oils.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Isopropyl AlcoholSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidStearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.
As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.
Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.
Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinBenzalkonium Chloride is a preservative. It can cause irritation and worsen eczema.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
tbh. Acne Hack Cream 8 ingredients
tbh. Acne Hack Spot Treatment 18 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
tbh. Acne Hack Cream 8 ingredients
tbh. Acne Hack Spot Treatment 18 ingredients
Hands down the most effective spot treatment I have used, and I’ve tried them all. I love that it works so well to clear up a pimple but doesn’t dry out the surrounding skin like so many other spot treatments do.
