Medik8 Blemish SOS Rapid Action Target Gel
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Anti-blemish4 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Blemish SOS Rapid Action Target Gel”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: azelaic acid, niacinamide, salicylic acid. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Evens skin tone3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Targeting Blemishes & Breakouts Pigmentation / Dark Spots Redness The Good Stuff Cruelty Free Paraben Free Silicone Free Sulphate Free Reduce the appearance of blemishes and smooth skin texture with Medik 8 Blemish SOS™, a fast-acting blemish treatment gel designed to minimise breakouts.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: azelaic acid, niacinamide, salicylic acid
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (azelaic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: salicylic acid.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Alcohol denat.~7.3–10.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Isopentyldiol~3.6–5.4%
Niacinamide~2.6–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideAzelaic acid~1.8–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is produced by a yeast that lives on normal human skin. It is used in medicine as a topical treatment for mild to moderate acne. It has a mild exfoliating effect. It can also help reduce hyperpigmentation, helps calm down inflammation and can help neutralize free radicals
More about Azelaic acidSalicylic acid~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidOctadecenedioic acid~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together. Might help suppress growth of acne-triggering bacteria in skin
More about Octadecenedioic acidPolyacrylate crosspolymer-6~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycerin~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinPhenoxyethanol~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolRosmarinus officinalis leaf oil~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin. Can be used as a fragrance. Has anti-bacterial properties and might help neutralize free radicals on the surface of the skin
More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oilEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.35%
Limonene~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneSodium metabisulfite~0.05–0.1%
Linalool~0.01–0.05%
Ingredient list view
Water, Alcohol denat., Isopentyldiol, Niacinamide, Azelaic acid, Salicylic acid, Octadecenedioic acid, Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, Sodium metabisulfite, Linalool
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Medik8Blemish SOS Rapid Action Target GelYOUR PRODUCT | TulaOil-Free Acne Moisturizer | ElegantAzelogy Lotion 10% | MesoesteticMelan Tran Daily Depigmenting Gel Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 92% | 82% | 79% |
| Price | $21.15 | $48.00+$26.85 | — | $59.80+$38.65 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Lactic Acid | Glycolic Acid | Lactic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, "Medik8 - Blemish SOS Rapid Action Target Gel" can work well for skin moisturization.
Ingredient callouts
- We love that this moisturizer contains a good concentration of niacinamide 2.60% - 3.90%. Niacinamide is a perfect active in a moistruizer because it helps calm down inflamation in skin and support the skin barrier. More than that, it is helpful for most common skin concerns: it helps regulat oil production, help reduce acne and clogged pores, improve skin tone and prevent pigmentation marks. It also helps fight photodamage.
- Salicylic acid (0.50% - 1.15%) in this product will have an exfoliating effect and help smooth the skin. We, however, do not recommend using a moisturizer with Salicylic Acid daily to avoid over-exfoliating.
- Azelaic Acid (1.80% - 2.80%). This active can reduce hyperpigmentation. It also works helps against acne and clogged pores. Please note that Azelaic Acid is most effective against acne in concentrations between 10% and 20%.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Medik8" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails from 16.00£ up to 27.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 5A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
- 6
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