Works for
1 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Anti-blemishSalicylic acidStrong evidence
“Clarify Blemish Eraser”
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.
Evens skin toneSalicylic acidLimited evidence
“Say buh-bye to blemishes and uneven skin tone with this famous duo.”
This product might help improve the skin tone through exfoliation. In other words, it helps to speed up the shedding of cells from the upper layer of the skin, and this might help reduce hyperpigmentation.
Anti-agingNo ingredient credited for this claimNo evidence
“The Ultima Peptide Complex uses an intricate blend of 6 peptides to fight off wrinkles, uneven skin tones, and the overall appearance of aging.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · Salicylic acidStrong evidence
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: salicylic acid.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Glycerin, Aloe barbadensis leaf extractGood evidence
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, aloe barbadensis leaf 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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Sd alcohol 40-b, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil + 2 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.
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%
Sd alcohol 40-b~11–13%
- 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 Sd alcohol 40-bPropanediol~4.9–6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolXanthan gum~3.4–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumAloe barbadensis leaf extract~2.7–3.3%
- 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 extractMelaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilTocopheryl acetate~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateGlycerin~1.5–1.8%
- 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 GlycerinHamamelis virginiana water~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana waterCinnamomum zeylanicum bark oil~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydroxyethylcellulose~0.95–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseSodium lauryl glucose carboxylate~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Sodium lauryl glucose carboxylateLauryl glucoside~0.5–0.75%
Polysorbate 60~0.25–0.5%
Tetrahydroxypropyl ethylenediamine~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Alcohol~0.1–0.2%
- 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 AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.15%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Salicylic acid, Water, Sd alcohol 40-b, Propanediol, Xanthan gum, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Tocopheryl acetate, Glycerin, Hamamelis virginiana water, Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark oil, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium lauryl glucose carboxylate, Lauryl glucoside, Polysorbate 60, Tetrahydroxypropyl ethylenediamine, Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
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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.
| EpicurenClarify Blemish EraserYOUR PRODUCT | Peter Thomas RothAcne-Clear Oil-Free Matte Moisturizer | TulaOil-Free Acne Moisturizer | NaturiumEncapsulated Salicylic Acid Moisturizer 0.75% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 95% | 95% | 94% |
| Price | $31.00 | $38.00+$7.00 | $48.00+$17.00 | $19.00−$12.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | Niacinamide | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 5 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
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