Works for
Anti-blemishNiacinamide, Salicylic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“Formulated to address hormonal skin concerns, including blemishes, wrinkles, loss of firmness.”
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.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: glycolic acid
ExfoliationSalicylic acid, Azelaic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Congested complexions in need of a purifying partner... meet the skin-smoothing GENIUS Liquid Skin Resurfacing 2% BHA Toner, formulated to reduce blemishes and post-inflammatory pigmentation as well as refine texture and tone.”
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, salicylic acid.
Anti-agingNiacinamide, Glycolic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Clinically-Shown to Instantly Exfoliate, Smooth Wrinkles & Plump Skin – with benefits amplified over 10 days.”
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 toneNiacinamide, Azelaic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“Congested complexions in need of a purifying partner... meet the skin-smoothing GENIUS Liquid Skin Resurfacing 2% BHA Toner, formulated to reduce blemishes and post-inflammatory pigmentation as well as refine texture and tone.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: azelaic acid, glycolic 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 · Azelaic acid, Parachlorella beijerinckii exopolysaccharides + 1 moreWorks well
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).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Collagen amino acids + 5 moreWorks well
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": parachlorella beijerinckii exopolysaccharides, butylene glycol.
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?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract, Rosmarinus officinalis extract + 1 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%
Propanediol~4.5–6.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolSalicylic acid~1.5–2.3%
- 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 acidNiacinamide~2.7–4.1%
- 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 NiacinamideCollagen amino acids~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Help attract water to the upper layer of the skin, soften it and support the skin barrier function
More about Collagen amino acidsParachlorella beijerinckii exopolysaccharides~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Compounds extracted from green algae that could help neutralize free radicals, but evidence of effectiveness in skincare products (topical applicaiton) is missing. Helps moisturize the skin by attracting water to its upper layer
More about Parachlorella beijerinckii exopolysaccharidesCollagen~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cannot penetrate the skin barrier so is not particularly useful in skincare products
More about CollagenAzelaic acid~1.2–1.9%
- 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 acidGlycolic acid~1–1.5%
- 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 acidDecyl glucoside~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideEucalyptus globulus leaf extract~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Eucalyptus globulus leaf extractLauryl glucoside~0.5–1.2%
Rosmarinus officinalis extract~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
Mentha piperita extract~0.45–1%
Dextrin~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that is used to stabilize the product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about DextrinAmylopectin~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polydextrose~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determine
More about Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrateTocopherol~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.5%
Sodium hydroxide~0.1–0.45%
Phytic acid~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), but is mostly used to stabilize product formulations in cosmetics
More about Phytic acidButylene glycol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolCitric acid~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium benzoate~0.05–0.25%
Potassium sorbate~0.05–0.25%
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Water, Propanediol, Salicylic acid, Niacinamide, Collagen amino acids, Parachlorella beijerinckii exopolysaccharides, Collagen, Azelaic acid, Glycolic acid, Decyl glucoside, Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract, Lauryl glucoside, Rosmarinus officinalis extract, Mentha piperita extract, Unknown, Dextrin, Amylopectin, Polydextrose, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium hydroxide, Phytic acid, Butylene glycol, Citric acid, Sodium benzoate, Potassium sorbate, 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.
| AlgenistGenius Liquid Skin ResurfacerYOUR PRODUCT | Urban Skin RxPHA + 10% Niacinamide Smaller Pores Serum | HELPAnti Dark Spot Serum | Honest BeautyIn The Clear Acne Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 80% | 77% | 73% |
| Price | — | — | $7.25 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Gluconolactone | Lactic Acid | Allantoin |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Facetheory Porebright Serum N10skinmade Azelaic Acid + Salicylic Acid serum
Product summary
"Algenist - Genius Liquid Skin Resurfacer" is effective for: Anti-blemish, Exfoliation, Moisturizing, Anti-aging and Evens skin tone
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (2.70% - 4.10%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- This product contains acids (glycolic acid 1.00% - 1.50%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants).
- Salicylic acid (1.50% - 2.30%). This is an oil-soluble exfoliating acid. Because of this property, it can work inside pores and help reduce the congestion. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and is used to treat acne. Because it is a quite strong exfoliator, be careful with using this product too often: it could result in over-exfoliation.
- Humectants (parachlorella beijerinckii exopolysaccharides 1.70% - 2.60%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 32.00$ up to 40.00$ in the United States and for 32.00£ 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 16 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
- 5
- 6
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