Works for
Anti-blemishSalicylic acidWorks well
“97% naturally derived* vegan, cruelty free serum instantly unclogs and minimizes the appearance of pores.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
ExfoliationSide benefit · Salicylic acidWorks 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 · Heptyl undecylenate, Algae extract + 9 moreWorks
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
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. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
algae extract, glycerin.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: algae extract, heptyl undecylenate.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy10 strong irritants: Alcohol, Melilotus officinalis extract + 8 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Propanediol~4.9–6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolDicaprylyl carbonate~4.1–5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateHeptyl undecylenate~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss from the skin surface over time and create a nice product finish
More about Heptyl undecylenateSilica~2.4–2.9%
Alcohol~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholPolyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearateMelilotus officinalis extract~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties. Can be used as a fragrance and can be irritating
More about Melilotus officinalis extractSalicylic acid~1–1.2%
- 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 acidLaminaria saccharina extract~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A seaweed extract that contains sugars and can be helpful in attracting water to the upper layers of the skin if used in high enough concentrations
More about Laminaria saccharina extractHamamelis virginiana extract~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana extractZinc sulfate~0.6–0.95%
Algae extract~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Plant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet
More about Algae extractCaffeine~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
More about CaffeineLauroyl lysine~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice product texture
More about Lauroyl lysineGlycerin~0.5–0.75%
- 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 GlycerinButylene glycol~0.45–0.7%
- 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 glycolSodium hyaluronate~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateHydrogenated lecithin~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateSclerotium gum~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions
More about Sclerotium gumTocopherol~0.3–0.55%
- 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 TocopherolPullulan~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Creates a thin drying film on the skin resulting in a short-term tightening effect
More about PullulanTrehalose~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
More about TrehalosePyridoxine hcl~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Pyridoxine hclXanthan gum~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium hydroxide~0.25–0.5%
Lecithin~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinParfum~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumLimonene~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneGeraniol~0.2–0.4%
Citronellol~0.2–0.35%
Linalool~0.15–0.3%
Hydroxycitronellal~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. A likely allergen and can be irritating
More about HydroxycitronellalCitral~0.1–0.2%
Phytic acid~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), but is mostly used to stabilize product formulations in cosmetics
More about Phytic acidSodium phytate~0.1–0.2%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIron oxides~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
More about Iron oxidesIngredient list view
Water, Propanediol, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Heptyl undecylenate, Silica, Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate, Melilotus officinalis extract, Salicylic acid, Laminaria saccharina extract, Hamamelis virginiana extract, Zinc sulfate, Algae extract, Caffeine, Lauroyl lysine, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Sodium hyaluronate, Hydrogenated lecithin, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Sclerotium gum, Tocopherol, Pullulan, Trehalose, Pyridoxine hcl, Xanthan gum, Sodium hydroxide, Lecithin, Parfum, Limonene, Geraniol, Citronellol, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Citral, Phytic acid, Sodium phytate, Phenoxyethanol, Iron oxides
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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.
| Avedabotanical kinetics pore refiner serumYOUR PRODUCT | GLAMGLOWSuperserum by Glamglow | Lab Series Skincare for MenMax LS Power V Lifting Serum | MuradExclusive Vitamin C Triple Exfoliating Facial Peel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 94% | 91% | 91% |
| Price | $64.00 | $54.56−$9.44 | — | $105.88+$41.88 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 10 | 7 of 10 | 3 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Lactic Acid | Niacinamide | Vitamin C |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Ultraceuticals Ultra B2 Hydrating SerumFacetheory Centasoothe Serum S5 with Dragon's Blood, Centella Asiatica and Evening Primrose Oil
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 20 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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