Works for
Anti-blemishNiacinamide, Salicylic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Instant Action BHA Blemish Treatment”
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.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Glycerin + 4 moreWorks well
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, 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
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Zinc gluconateWorks 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.
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · Salicylic acid, Zinc gluconateWorks 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.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Salicylic acid + 1 moreWorks 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy14 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Alcohol denat.~7.5–11.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Niacinamide~3.9–5.9%
- 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 NiacinamidePeg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~2.5–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilGlycerin~2.2–3.3%
- 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 GlycerinSalicylic acid~1.1–1.6%
- 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 acidAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerEucalyptus globulus leaf oil~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be very irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Eucalyptus globulus leaf oilPotassium hydroxide~0.95–1.45%
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolButylene glycol~0.5–1.15%
- 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 glycolMelaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilDisodium lauriminodipropionate tocopheryl phosphates~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A form of Vitamin E. In concentrations 1-3%, it can help neutralize free radicals in skin and support photodamage repair
More about Disodium lauriminodipropionate tocopheryl phosphatesAcacia senegal gum~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps mask the small of other ingredients and improve the product texture
More about Acacia senegal gumCaprylyl glycol~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolOriganum vulgare leaf extract~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract. Can have an anti-oxidant effect, but can also contain irritants
More about Origanum vulgare leaf extractDisodium edta~0.1–0.5%
Zinc gluconate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Typically used to stabilize the product formulations. It is a salt of a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) and in larger concentrations, can help shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. It can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals, but solid research is missing. Due to the zinc content, might help calm down inflammation in skin
More about Zinc gluconateAmmonium glycyrrhizate~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Aloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf extractAloe vera leaf extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 LimoneneIngredient list view
Water, Alcohol denat., Niacinamide, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Glycerin, Salicylic acid, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, Potassium hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene glycol, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Disodium lauriminodipropionate tocopheryl phosphates, Acacia senegal gum, Caprylyl glycol, Origanum vulgare leaf extract, Disodium edta, Zinc gluconate, Ammonium glycyrrhizate, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Aloe vera leaf extract, Limonene
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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.
| Alpha-HInstant Action BHA Blemish TreatmentYOUR PRODUCT | skintific2% SALICYLIC ACID ANTI ACNE SERUM | Emma STreatment Niacinamide Formula | Versed SkinJust Breathe Clarifying Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 92% | 91% | 91% |
| Price | $34.95 | — | — | $13.98−$20.97 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Oligopeptide-1 | Dimethicone | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Hey Bud Kojic Acid + Alpha Arbutin Pigmentation TreatmentREVOLUTION SKINCARE Dark Spot Corrector Serum
Product summary
"Alpha-H - Instant Action BHA Blemish Treatment" is effective for: Anti-blemish, Moisturizing, Anti-aging, Exfoliation and Evens skin tone
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (3.90% - 5.90%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- Salicylic acid (1.10% - 1.60%). This is an oil-soluble exfoliating acid. Because of this property, it can work inside pores and help reduce the congestion. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and is used to treat acne. Because it is a quite strong exfoliator, be careful with using this product too often: it could result in over-exfoliation.
- Humectants (glycerin 2.20% - 3.30%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Alpha-H" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 34.95$ in the United States.
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
- 3
- 4
- 5Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
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