Works for
Anti-blemishAzelaic acid, Salicylic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“Thanks to its unique and innovative formula, this purifying gel helps to clear the skin, refine texture and reduce blackheads.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: azelaic acid, salicylic acid. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: glycolic acid, retinyl palmitate
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Azelaic acidWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (azelaic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Anti-agingSide benefit · Glycolic acid, Retinyl palmitateWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: retinyl palmitate.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
ExfoliationSide benefit · Glycolic acid, Azelaic acid + 2 moreWorks 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: glycolic acid, salicylic acid.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Glycolic acid, Azelaic acid + 2 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: azelaic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: retinyl palmitate.
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Retinyl palmitate + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Alcohol denat.~6.9–10.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Glycolic acid~3–4.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
More about Glycolic acidPropylene glycol~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolAmmonia~1.4–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium hydroxide~0.95–1.4%
Propanediol~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolAlpha-glucan oligosaccharide~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Alpha-glucan oligosaccharideSalicylic acid~0.3–0.75%
- 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 acidAzelaic acid~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is produced by a yeast that lives on normal human skin. It is used in medicine as a topical treatment for mild to moderate acne. It has a mild exfoliating effect. It can also help reduce hyperpigmentation, helps calm down inflammation and can help neutralize free radicals
More about Azelaic acidIris florentina root extract~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Retinyl palmitate~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateZinc sulfate~0.15–0.65%
Polyquaternium-10~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish
More about Polyquaternium-10Hydroxyethylcellulose~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseAlcohol~0.05–0.2%
- 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 AlcoholDisodium phosphate~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps adjust the product pH and stabilize the formulation
More about Disodium phosphateHydrated silica~0.05–0.3%
Sodium phosphate~0.01–0.05%
Polysorbate 60~0.01–0.05%
Tetrasodium edta~0.05–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Alcohol denat., Glycolic acid, Propylene glycol, Ammonia, Sodium hydroxide, Propanediol, Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, Salicylic acid, Azelaic acid, Iris florentina root extract, Retinyl palmitate, Zinc sulfate, Polyquaternium-10, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Alcohol, Disodium phosphate, Hydrated silica, Sodium phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Tetrasodium edta
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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.
| EneomeyPurify GelYOUR PRODUCT | AnuaAzelaic Acid 3 Cica Skin Clarifying Toner | NatinuelCLEANSER Strong AHA-BHA 9% - Face cleansing gel | Urban Skin RxPHA + 10% Niacinamide Smaller Pores Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 87% | 87% | 86% |
| Price | — | $17.11 | $41.41 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 6 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Madecassoside | Hamamelis Virginiana Extract | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Bioderma Pigmentbio C-Concentrate Brightening Vitamin C Face SerumJan Marini Bioclear Cream
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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