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Elixir SOS paste
Elixir

Elixir SOS paste

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium
See all ingredients

Works for

Anti-blemish
Sulfur
Works well

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.

SulfurHeroEffect: High~8.2–10%
Moisturizing
Side benefit · Glycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride + 9 more
Works

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: butyrospermum parkii butter, caprylic/capric triglyceride.

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~3.4–4.1%
Caprylic/capric triglycerideKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~2.8–3.4%
Polyglyceryl-6 stearateKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~1.7–2.1%
Butyrospermum parkii butterKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals~1.2–1.5%
Cetearyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~1–1.3%
Jojoba estersKey active· EmollientEffect: HighAn emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function~0.5–0.75%
Cetyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together~0.35–0.6%
Octyldodecanol· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation~4.6–5.6%
C15-19 alkaneEffect: LowHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture~2.2–2.7%
Polyglyceryl-6 distearateEffect: LowHelps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin~1.3–1.6%
AgarEffect: LowPolysaccharide derived from seaweed. Used to create a thicker product consistency and might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.5–0.75%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
11 flagged ingredients
Medium risk
We flagged 11 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Trifolium pratense flower extractRed clover flower extract. Can contain anti-oxidants but also potential irritant compoundsHigh~0.1–0.2%est.
Sulfur—Medium~8.2–10%est.
Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinMedium~2.8–3.4%est.
Polyglyceryl-6 distearateHelps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skinMedium~1.3–1.6%est.
1,2-hexanediolA preservativeMedium~0.6–0.9%est.
Acacia senegal gumHelps mask the small of other ingredients and improve the product textureMedium~0.6–0.9%est.
AgarPolysaccharide derived from seaweed. Used to create a thicker product consistency and might help attract water to the upper layer of the skinMedium~0.5–0.75%est.
Jojoba estersAn emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier functionMedium~0.5–0.75%est.
HydroxyacetophenoneUsed to increase effectiveness of preservativesMedium~0.35–0.65%est.
Polyglyceryl-3 beeswaxHelps water and oil mix together. Could be an allergen (beeswax)Medium~0.25–0.45%est.
Polyglyceryl-6 behenateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.2–0.35%est.
Comedogenic
2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
2 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Butyrospermum parkii butterA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals3/5~1.2–1.5%est.
Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~1–1.3%est.
Alternatives
The closest match we found
Clearing Spot Fix
Jack Black Clearing Spot Fix
Closest match60% match
View all alternatives

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Sulfur~8.2–10%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-blemish
More about Sulfur
Octyldodecanol~4.6–5.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation

More about Octyldodecanol
Glycerin~3.4–4.1%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 Glycerin
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~2.8–3.4%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin

More about Caprylic/capric triglyceride
C15-19 alkane~2.2–2.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture

More about C15-19 alkane
Propanediol~2–2.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

More about Propanediol
Polyglyceryl-6 stearate~1.7–2.1%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Polyglyceryl-6 stearate
Polyglyceryl-6 distearate~1.3–1.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin

More about Polyglyceryl-6 distearate
Butyrospermum parkii butter~1.2–1.5%
Key activeComedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals

More about Butyrospermum parkii butter
Cetearyl alcohol~1–1.3%
Key activeComedogenic 2/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

More about Cetearyl alcohol
Isopentyldiol~0.7–1.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps dissolve other ingredients in a formulation

More about Isopentyldiol
1,2-hexanediol~0.6–0.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about 1,2-hexanediol
Acacia senegal gum~0.6–0.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps mask the small of other ingredients and improve the product texture

More about Acacia senegal gum
Agar~0.5–0.75%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Polysaccharide derived from seaweed. Used to create a thicker product consistency and might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Agar
Jojoba esters~0.5–0.75%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function

More about Jojoba esters
Hydroxyacetophenone~0.35–0.65%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to increase effectiveness of preservatives

More about Hydroxyacetophenone
Cetyl alcohol~0.35–0.6%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together

More about Cetyl alcohol
Polyglyceryl-3 beeswax~0.25–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together. Could be an allergen (beeswax)

More about Polyglyceryl-3 beeswax
Polyglyceryl-6 behenate~0.2–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polyglyceryl-6 behenate
Xanthan gum~0.15–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Sodium phytate~0.1–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize product formulations

More about Sodium phytate
Trifolium pratense flower extract~0.1–0.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

Red clover flower extract. Can contain anti-oxidants but also potential irritant compounds

More about Trifolium pratense flower extract
Ingredient list view

Water, Sulfur, Octyldodecanol, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, C15-19 alkane, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-6 stearate, Polyglyceryl-6 distearate, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Cetearyl alcohol, Isopentyldiol, 1,2-hexanediol, Acacia senegal gum, Agar, Jojoba esters, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cetyl alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 beeswax, Polyglyceryl-6 behenate, Xanthan gum, Sodium phytate, Trifolium pratense flower 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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
ElixirSOS pasteYOUR PRODUCTJack BlackClearing Spot FixStarface WorldSUPER-SULFUR MAGIC MASKThe INKEY List CASuperSolutions Acne Clearing Moisturizer 2% NOVORETINᵀᴹ
Match—60%59%57%
Price———$19.99
Shared key ingredients—3 of 53 of 52 of 5
Key difference—BisabololZinc OxideRetinol
Irritancy Medium Low Low Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Product summary

"Elixir - SOS paste" is effective for: Anti-blemish

This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.

Ingredient callouts

  • Humectants (glycerin 3.40% - 4.10%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 3 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    The influence of alkane chain length on the skin irritation potential of 1,2-alkanediolsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Safety Assessment of Polyglyceryl Fatty Acid Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
Elixir SOS paste
ElixirSOS paste
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