Works for
Anti-blemishSulfur, Allantoin + 1 moreWorks well
“Clear up your complexion with DHC's Acne Spot Therapy.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: sulfur. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
MoisturizingCetearyl alcohol, Allantoin + 8 moreWorks
“This creamy acne treatment's deeply nourishing formula combines aloe vera and green tea, working to effectively reduce breakouts at home.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": allantoin, royal jelly extract.
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).
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract + 4 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (camellia sinensis leaf extract) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Perilla ocymoides leaf extractMedium 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.
Sulfur~26–39%
Water~12–18%
Butylene glycol~5.3–7.9%
- 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 glycolIsononyl isononanoate~3.6–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective film on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss. Gives a velvety feel to products while reducing tackiness
More about Isononyl isononanoateCetearyl alcohol~2.4–3.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholSorbitan stearate~1.9–2.8%
Ceteareth-20~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSucrose cocoate~1.2–1.8%
Xanthan gum~1–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium citrate~0.6–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateCitric acid~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidAllantoin~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinDisodium edta~0.45–1%
Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A derivative of vitamin C that is more stable, but less bioavailable than the pure form of vitamin C. It does not penetrate the skin well, but has been shown to convert to pure vitamin C once in skin. It can be helpful in stimulating collagen production and lightening the skin tone, but the required concentration is likely to be very high
More about Magnesium ascorbyl phosphateTocopherol~0.35–0.85%
- 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 TocopherolSodium hydroxide~0.35–0.75%
Brassica campestris seed oil~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Brassica campestris seed oilGlycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractRoyal jelly extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A compound secreted by bees. Might be able to attract water to the top layer of the skin. Avoid if sensitive to honey and bee products
More about Royal jelly extractScutellaria baicalensis root extract~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might contain a compound baicalin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation in skin. The baicalin concentration in skincare products is often too low for an effective action. Can be used for its fragrant properties
More about Scutellaria baicalensis root extractHouttuynia cordata extract~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Perilla ocymoides leaf extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin but solid research is lacking. Contains a number of volatile compounds and could be irritating
More about Perilla ocymoides leaf extractAloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.15–0.5%
- 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 extractIngredient list view
Sulfur, Water, Butylene glycol, Isononyl isononanoate, Cetearyl alcohol, Sorbitan stearate, Ceteareth-20, Phenoxyethanol, Sucrose cocoate, Xanthan gum, Sodium citrate, Citric acid, Allantoin, Disodium edta, Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, Tocopherol, Sodium hydroxide, Brassica campestris seed oil, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Royal jelly extract, Scutellaria baicalensis root extract, Houttuynia cordata extract, Perilla ocymoides leaf extract, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract
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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.
| DHCAcne Spot TherapyYOUR PRODUCT | Jack BlackClearing Spot Fix | VMV HypoallergenicsRed Better Spot Corrector | Kiehl'sBreakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 54% | 51% | 51% |
| Price | $21.00 | — | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Bisabolol | Salicylic Acid | Glycerin |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium | High |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Pevonia Botanica SpaTeen Blemish-B-GoneVersed Skin Game Over Acne Drying Treatment
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Topical L-ascorbic acid: percutaneous absorption studiesncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
- 6
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