Works for
Anti-blemishSalicylic acidWorks well
“Treat Acne Clearing Gel”
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.
ExfoliationLactic acid, Salicylic acidWorks well
“Exfoliates skin”
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: lactic acid, salicylic acid.
MoisturizingPanthenol, Glycerin + 6 moreWorks well
“This acne treatment gel combines exfoliating salicylic acid (2.0%), soothing oat kernel, and moisturizing squalane to battle blemishes without the burn.”
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, lactic acid.
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: squalane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Lactic acid, Salicylic acidWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: lactic acid, 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-agingSide benefit · Lactic acidMay help
This product contains lactic acid. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Salicylic acid2%
- 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 acidWater~45–55%
Butylene glycol~9.1–11.1%
- 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 glycolGlycerin~5.7–7%
- 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 GlycerinEthoxydiglycol~3.3–4%
Neopentyl glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate~2.8–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lactic acid~2.2–2.7%
- 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 lactate~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
More about Sodium lactateSodium hyaluronate~1.6–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateAvena sativa kernel extract~1.3–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties
More about Avena sativa kernel extractSqualane~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneBisabolol~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about BisabololPanthenol~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolLauryl lactate~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Methyl glucose sesquistearate~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Methyl glucose sesquistearateErgothioneine~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can help neutralize free radicals in skin. Preliminary studies show that it can be more effective than coenzyme Q10 but studies on effective concentration for topical applications are lacking
More about ErgothioneineHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerPhenoxyethanol~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPolysorbate 60~0.2–0.4%
Disodium edta~0.15–0.25%
Xanthan gum~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCarbomer~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerSodium hydroxide~0.1–0.15%
Potassium sorbate~0.1–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Salicylic acid, Water, Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Ethoxydiglycol, Neopentyl glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, Lactic acid, Sodium lactate, Sodium hyaluronate, Avena sativa kernel extract, Squalane, Bisabolol, Panthenol, Lauryl lactate, Methyl glucose sesquistearate, Ergothioneine, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 60, Disodium edta, Xanthan gum, Carbomer, Sodium hydroxide, Potassium sorbate
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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.
| bioClarityTreat Acne Clearing GelYOUR PRODUCT | CeraVeBlemish Control Gel Moisturiser with 2% Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide for Blemish-Prone Skin | B. KaminsLactic-10 | The Purest SolutionsIntensive Hydration Serum Hyaluronic Acid %2 + B5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 76% | 74% | 73% |
| Price | $14.00 | $11.89−$2.11 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 10 | 4 of 10 | 3 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Zinc Pca | Erythritol |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Paula's choice Resist Anti-Aging Daily Pore-Refining Treatment BHA Full sizeThe INKEY List CA 360° Clarifying Serum
Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, "bioClarity - Treat Acne Clearing Gel" works well for moisturizing the skin. As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Panthenol, glycerin, lactic acid, sodium hyaluronate and sodium lactate in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (squalane) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
Ingredient callouts
- This formulation also uses an effective concentration of panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 0.75% - 1.10%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
Irritation risk
There are actives in this product that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 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
- 6Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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