Transparent Lab Adult Acne Treatment Versus Transparent Lab PIE Acne Red Spot Fading Treatment
Updated on August 07, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 15 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA and ceramides
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates
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
Transparent Lab Adult Acne Treatment 32 ingredients
Transparent Lab PIE Acne Red Spot Fading Treatment 25 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Transparent Lab Adult Acne Treatment 32 ingredients
Transparent Lab PIE Acne Red Spot Fading Treatment 25 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Morinda Citrifolia Callus Culture Lysate
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingDimyristyl Phosphate
CleansingMannitol
HumectantLecithin
EmollientStearamine
Cholesterol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentOlive Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Morinda Citrifolia Callus Culture Lysate, Zinc PCA, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Phosphatidylcholine, Dimyristyl Phosphate, Mannitol, Lecithin, Stearamine, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Lauryl Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Olive Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sorbitan Oleate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
SolventSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Punica Granatum Seed Cell Culture Lysate
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Lecithin
EmollientMannitol
HumectantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingCholesterol
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingSorbic Acid
Preservative
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Ectoin, Betaine, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Ceramide NP, Punica Granatum Seed Cell Culture Lysate, Sodium Phytate, Lecithin, Mannitol, Maltodextrin, Phosphatidylcholine, Cholesterol, Decyl Glucoside, Sorbic Acid, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Chloride, Benzyl Alcohol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinSalicylic 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 AcidCeramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP
Learn more about Ceramide NPWe don't have a description for Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine yet.
Phosphatidylcholine is a type of phospholipid. Phospholipids are naturally found in our skin as they are the main component of cell membranes. Phospholipids are skin-replenishing.
This ingredient can be found in the Lecithin of soybeans.
Mannitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a humectant and moisturizes the skin. In vitro (not tested on a living organism), mannitol displays antioxidant properties.
When found in aqueous solutions, mannitol tends to become acidic. This is because it loses a hydrogen ion. This is why mannitol can often be found with pH adjusting ingredients, such as sodium bicarbonate.
Fun fact: Mannitol can be found in foods as a sweetener. It can be naturally found in mushrooms, algae, fruits, and veggies.
Learn more about MannitolLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinCholesterol is a class of organic molecules called lipids. It helps hydrate your skin and is essential to having a healthy skin barrier.
Our skin naturally contains cholesterol in the outermost layer. Besides cholesterol, it also contains ceramides and fatty acids. Cholesterol makes up about 1/4 of your skin's outer layer and barrier. Your skin barrier is responsible for keeping allergens and microbes out. Having a healthy skin barrier is also responsible for keeping your skin firm and plump.
Our bodies use cholestrol to create vitamin D, steroid hormones, and more.
Learn more about CholesterolXanthan 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 GumDecyl Glucoside is a glucose-based surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Surfactants help clean the skin by trapping oil, sebum, and dirt to be washed away. As an emulsion stabilizer, it stabilizes the ingredients in a product by preventing them from separating.
This ingredient is biodegradable and non-toxic. This ingredient is commonly found in baby shampoos.
Decyl Glucoside is sometimes used to stabilize the UV filter Tinosorb.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideWe don't have a description for Sodium Acrylates Copolymer yet.
Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoatePotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
