PRODUCT REVIEW
Cheaper alternatives
What can the product work for?
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
Soothe troubled skin with Aesop’s Control Serum ; a transparent gel formulation that alleviates irritated skin and provides targeted spot treatment to blemishes.
niacinamide
2.7% -
4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
sodium ascorbyl phosphate
1.3% -
2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
A stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin C
salicylic acid
0.3% -
0.7%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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)
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Powered by an impressive blend of ingredients knowns for their astringent and calming properties, the citrus-scented serum provides effective relief to problematic skin without stripping or dehydrating.
niacinamide
2.7% -
4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
panthenol
0.5% -
1.15%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder
0.35% -
0.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
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Anti-aging
niacinamide
2.7% -
4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
sodium ascorbyl phosphate
1.3% -
2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin C
lactic acid
0.15% -
0.55%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
Evens skin tone
niacinamide
2.7% -
4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
lactic acid
0.15% -
0.55%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
salicylic acid
0.3% -
0.7%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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)
Anti-oxidation
sodium ascorbyl phosphate
1.3% -
2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
A stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin C
zingiber officinale root extract
0.05% -
0.15%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A plant extract that can contain an irritating essential oil. Might have some anti-oxidant effect, but evidence is lacking
bisabolol
0.35% -
0.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
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Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Moisturizing | |
| Anti-blemish |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
87/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 0
Potential irritants
hamamelis virginiana water
2% -
3%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-inflammatory
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
benzyl alcohol
0.5% -
1%
Irritation risk:
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
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Comodogenic ingredients
No comodogenic ingredients detected
User reviews (0)
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| WIMJ similarity score |
86%
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88%
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87%
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87%
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| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
HIGH
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LOW
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MEDIUM
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LOW
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HIGH
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MEDIUM
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HIGH
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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HIGH
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HIGH
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
niacinamide
2.7% -
4%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-aging,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-blemish,
Moisturizing,
Reduces irritation,
Reduces redness,
Anti-inflammatory,
Antibacterial
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
salicylic acid
0.3% -
0.7%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-blemish,
Exfoliation,
Anti-inflammatory,
Antibacterial,
Evens skin tone
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)
Show more
Potential irritants
hamamelis virginiana water
2% -
3%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-inflammatory
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
benzyl alcohol
0.5% -
1%
Irritation risk:
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
We couldn't find any comodogenic ingredients in this product
All ingredients
peg-150 distearate
3.2% -
4.9%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Cleansing
Helps oil and water mix together
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Ingredient list view
Water, Polysorbate 80, Peg-150 distearate, Niacinamide, Hamamelis virginiana water, Polysorbate 20, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl alcohol, Citrus limon peel oil, Panthenol, Disodium edta, Bisabolol, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, Ormenis multicaulis oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Salicylic acid, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil, Benzalkonium chloride, Lactic acid, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Salvia officinalis oil, Leptospermum petersonii oil, Benzoic acid, Zingiber officinale root extract, Limonene, Citral, Linalool, Geraniol
Sources
- Niacinamide - mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatology
- Gehring, W. (2004). Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 3(2), 88–93. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00115.x
- Sodium ascorbyl phosphate shows in vitro and in vivo efficacy in the prevention and treatment of acne vulgaris
- Sodium ascorbyl phosphate in topical microemulsions
- Final report of the safety assessment of L-Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Ascorbate, Magnesium Ascorbate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Ascorbate, and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate as used in cosmetics
- Regulation of collagen synthesis in human dermal fibroblasts by the sodium and magnesium salts of ascorbyl-2-phosphate
- Comparison of clinical efficacies of sodium ascorbyl phosphate, retinol and their combination in acne treatment
- Application of l-ascorbic acid and its derivatives (sodium ascorbyl phosphate and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate) in topical cosmetic formulations: stability studies
- Sodium L-ascorbyl-2-phosphate 5% lotion for the treatment of acne vulgaris: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial
- Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulations
- Safety Assessment of Panthenol, Pantothenic Acid, and Derivatives as Used in Cosmetics
- α-(-)-Bisabolol Reduces Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Production and Ameliorates Skin Inflammation
- Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review
- Beta Hydroxy Acids
- A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparations
- Glycolic Acid Peels Versus Salicylic–Mandelic Acid Peels in Active Acne Vulgaris and Post‐Acne Scarring and Hyperpigmentation: A Comparative Study
- Assessment report on Rosmarinus officinalis L., aetheroleum and Rosmarinus officinalis L., folium
- Screening of plant extracts for antimicrobial activity against bacteria and yeasts with dermatological relevance
- Occupational contact dermatitis due to essential oils
- The in vitro antimicrobial activity and chemometric modelling of 59 commercial essential oils against pathogens of dermatological relevance
- Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties of Rosemary and Sage (Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Salvia officinalis L., Lamiaceae) Essential Oils
- Chemical Composition, Plant Genetic Differences, Antimicrobial and Antifungal Activity Investigation of the Essential Oil of Rosmarinus officinalis L.
- Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitis
- Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acid
- Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin
- Some phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological properties of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe): A review of recent research