Works for
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, Salicylic acidWorks well
“Formulated with BHA and AHA acids, which help to dry out and gently exfoliate the skin without causing irritation, and lemon water, a natural exfoliant that helps to prevent the formation of blackheads. Instructions for use Daily. Night/day.”
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: glycolic acid.
Anti-blemishNiacinamide, Glycolic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Formulated with BHA and AHA acids, which help to dry out and gently exfoliate the skin without causing irritation, and lemon water, a natural exfoliant that helps to prevent the formation of blackheads. Instructions for use Daily. Night/day.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: glycolic acid
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Glycerin + 2 moreWorks well
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": betaine, 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
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Glycolic acidWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid, 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.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Glycolic acid + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic acid, niacinamide
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Citrus limon fruit water + 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.~7.7–11.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Citrus limon fruit water~3.9–5.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Niacinamide~2.8–4.2%
- 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 NiacinamideGlycerin~2.1–3.2%
- 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 GlycerinPropanediol~1.6–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolGlycolic acid~1.2–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
More about Glycolic acidCocamidopropyl dimethylamine~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can work as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating
More about Cocamidopropyl dimethylamineSalicylic acid~0.45–1.1%
- 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 acidMorinda citrifolia callus culture lysate~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Vitis vinifera fruit extract~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin, but is less potent than the extract from the seeds
More about Vitis vinifera fruit extractBoswellia serrata resin extract~0.15–0.65%
Zingiber officinale root extract~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can contain an irritating essential oil. Might have some anti-oxidant effect, but evidence is lacking
More about Zingiber officinale root extractBetaine~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineDisodium edta~0.05–0.15%
Citric acid~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidIngredient list view
Water, Alcohol denat., Citrus limon fruit water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Propanediol, Glycolic acid, Cocamidopropyl dimethylamine, Salicylic acid, Morinda citrifolia callus culture lysate, Vitis vinifera fruit extract, Boswellia serrata resin extract, Zingiber officinale root extract, Betaine, Disodium edta, Citric acid
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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.
| AcnemyZitbackYOUR PRODUCT | HydroPeptideResurface and Repair Peptide Pads - 30 Treatments | Moon JuiceAcid Potion Resurfacing Exfoliator | Allies of SkinMulti Acids & Retinoid Brightening Sleeping Facial | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 92% | 90% | 90% |
| Price | $14.99 | $93.00+$78.01 | $39.99+$25.00 | $100.00+$85.01 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Lactobionic Acid | Lactic Acid | Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: CeraVe Blemish Control Gel Moisturiser with 2% Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide for Blemish-Prone SkinBeautyBio Swipe & Glow Peel Pads
Product summary
"Acnemy - Zitback" is effective for: Moisturizing, Exfoliation, Anti-aging, Evens skin tone and Anti-blemish
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (2.80% - 4.20%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- This product contains acids (glycolic acid 1.20% - 1.90%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants).
- Salicylic acid (0.45% - 1.10%). This is an oil-soluble exfoliating acid. Because of this property, it can work inside pores and help reduce the congestion. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and is used to treat acne. Because it is a quite strong exfoliator, be careful with using this product too often: it could result in over-exfoliation.
- Humectants (glycerin 2.10% - 3.20% and betaine 0.10% - 0.30%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
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