Works for
Anti-blemishNiacinamide, Salicylic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Our Gentle Acne Serum powered by 0.5% Salicylic Acid to clear pores and fight breakouts, but balanced with barrier-friendly ingredients like Niacinamide and Panthenol to calm, soothe, and support your skin.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide, salicylic acid. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
ExfoliationSide benefit · Salicylic acid, AllantoinWorks well
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.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Niacinamide, Panthenol + 5 moreWorks well
“balanced with barrier-friendly ingredients like Niacinamide and Panthenol to calm, soothe, and support your skin”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": allantoin, 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, panthenol
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Niacinamide, Salicylic acidWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: 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-agingSide benefit · NiacinamideWorks well
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Salicylic acid0.5%
- 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 acidWater~40–60%
Coco-caprylate/caprate~6.8–10.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateGlycerin~5–7.5%
- 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 GlycerinNiacinamide~3.2–4.9%
- 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 NiacinamidePropanediol~2.2–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolSaccharide isomerate~1.8–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharide isomerateSclerotium gum~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions
More about Sclerotium gumLysolecithin~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lecithin derivative. It helps oil and water mix together and can enhance penetration of other ingredients. It helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LysolecithinMorinda citrifolia extract~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Panthenol~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolAllantoin~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinXanthan gum~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPullulan~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Creates a thin drying film on the skin resulting in a short-term tightening effect
More about PullulanTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateSodium hydroxide~0.1–0.45%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.25%
Silica~0.15–0.55%
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Salicylic acid, Water, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Saccharide isomerate, Sclerotium gum, Lysolecithin, Morinda citrifolia extract, Panthenol, Allantoin, Xanthan gum, Pullulan, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Sodium hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Silica, Phenoxyethanol
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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.
| 2 fl ozGentle Acne SerumYOUR PRODUCT | REVOLUTION SKINCARESalicylic Acid & Niacinamide Serum | Revolution SkinClear Canvas 5% Niacinamide & 2% Salicylic Acid Clarifying Serum | Versed SkinJust Breathe Clarifying Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 94% | 94% | 90% |
| Price | — | $10.00 | $10.00 | $13.98 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 7 | 5 of 7 | 4 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Pantolactone | Pantolactone | Hydrated Silica |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Ultraceuticals Ultra B2 Hydrating SerumJUMISO D-Panthenol Barrier Soothing Serum
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 3A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
- 4
- 5Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 6
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