Beekman 1802 Smooth Booster Willow Bark Exfoliating Serum
Works for
ExfoliationLactic acid ~0.1–0.4%, below the ~2% it needsUnder-dosed
“Smooth Booster Willow Bark Exfoliating Serum”
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Coco-caprylate/caprate, Glycerin + 5 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:
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: simmondsia chinensis seed oil, adansonia digitata seed oil.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Microcitrus australasica fruit extract, Ocimum sanctum leaf extract + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Coco-caprylate/caprate~5.3–7.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateGlycerin~4.2–6.2%
- 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 GlycerinSalix alba bark extract~2.9–4.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It contains a compound salicin that can theoretically be converted into salicylic acid that, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in skin, but the evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking and the extract is usually not used in a concentration that would enable an exfoliating effect
More about Salix alba bark extractXanthan gum~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumMicrocitrus australasica fruit extract~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Most likely used for its fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivity
More about Microcitrus australasica fruit extractCurcuma longa leaf extract~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Curcuma longa leaf extractSimmondsia chinensis seed oil~1.4–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilMoringa oleifera seed oil~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acid
More about Moringa oleifera seed oilCurcuma longa root extract~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can contain an active compound curcumin, that may have some anti-inflammatory properties when applied to the skin, but solid research is lacking and the typical concentration used in skincare products is too low. Can be an irritant
More about Curcuma longa root extractAloe barbadensis flower extract~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Aloe barbadensis flower extractOcimum sanctum leaf extract~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is rich in a fragrance compound eugenol that is a frequent allergen and can be irritating. It might also contain anti-oxidants to help neutralize free radicals
More about Ocimum sanctum leaf extractOcimum basilicum flower/leaf extract~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Canbe irritating
More about Ocimum basilicum flower/leaf extractMelia azadirachta flower extract~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might be helpful to neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Melia azadirachta flower extractAdansonia digitata seed oil~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Adansonia digitata seed oilMelia azadirachta leaf extract~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating
More about Melia azadirachta leaf extractCorallina officinalis extract~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might contain antioxidants
More about Corallina officinalis extractCoccinia indica fruit extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect helping neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Coccinia indica fruit extractSolanum melongena fruit extract~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Eggplant fruit extract. Might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Solanum melongena fruit extractAmber powder~0.1–0.45%
Lactic acid~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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)
More about Lactic acidSodium benzoate~0.05–0.25%
Sodium levulinate~0.05–0.3%
Potassium sorbate~0.05–0.25%
Sodium anisate~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Glycerin, Salix alba bark extract, Xanthan gum, Microcitrus australasica fruit extract, Curcuma longa leaf extract, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Moringa oleifera seed oil, Curcuma longa root extract, Aloe barbadensis flower extract, Ocimum sanctum leaf extract, Ocimum basilicum flower/leaf extract, Melia azadirachta flower extract, Adansonia digitata seed oil, Melia azadirachta leaf extract, Corallina officinalis extract, Coccinia indica fruit extract, Solanum melongena fruit extract, Amber powder, Lactic acid, Sodium benzoate, Sodium levulinate, Potassium sorbate, Sodium anisate
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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.
| Beekman 1802Smooth Booster Willow Bark Exfoliating SerumYOUR PRODUCT | SquigsDouble Shot Face Serum | MuradReplenishing Multi-Acid Peel | ACURERadically Rejuvenating Dual Phase Bakuchiol Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 45% | 43% | 42% |
| Price | $8.00 | $28.00+$20.00 | $62.42+$54.42 | $21.99+$13.99 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Salicylic Acid | Ascorbyl Glucoside |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Make P:rem Poncirus Trifoliata C Dark Spot SerumNEOGEN X SUR.MEDIC Dermalogy A-Clear Serum
Product summary
"Beekman 1802 - Smooth Booster Willow Bark Exfoliating Serum" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Humectants (glycerin 4.20% - 6.20%). 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 "Beekman 1802" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 2
- 3Efficacy and Safety of White Willow Bark (Salix alba) Extractonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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