Works for
ExfoliationSalicylic acid, Tartaric acidWorks well
“Upon application, it quickly penetrates the skin to gently exfoliate, control excess oil production and unclog pores revealing healthy, bright 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: salicylic acid.
Anti-blemishSalicylic acidWorks well
“Blemish Treatment 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.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Retinyl acetateMay help
This product contains retinyl acetate. 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.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Tartaric acidMay help
This product contains antioxidants (tartaric acid) 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?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Retinyl acetateMedium 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 acidAcetyl mandelic acid~23–35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Alcohol denat.~8.7–13%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Butylene glycol~4.3–6.4%
- 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 glycolC13-14 isoparaffin~3.5–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
More about C13-14 isoparaffinCitric acid~2.2–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidLaureth-7~1.7–2.5%
Peg-8~1.2–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a nice product consistency
More about Peg-8Polyacrylamide~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamidePropylene glycol~0.5–1.15%
- 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 glycolRetinyl acetate~0.35–0.8%
Arachis hypogaea oil~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tartaric acid~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid). It oxidizes quickly which makes it less effective in skincare formulations. It can support skin's barrier and moisture levels
More about Tartaric acidIngredient list view
Salicylic acid, Acetyl mandelic acid, Alcohol denat., Butylene glycol, C13-14 isoparaffin, Citric acid, Laureth-7, Peg-8, Polyacrylamide, Propylene glycol, Retinyl acetate, Arachis hypogaea oil, Tartaric acid
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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.
| ExuvianceBlemish Treatment GelYOUR PRODUCT | Paula's choice2% BHA Gel Exfoliant | bioClarityTreat Acne Clearing Gel | Drunk ElephantT.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 86% | 86% | 85% |
| Price | — | $37.00 | $14.00 | $59.57 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 1 of 3 | 1 of 3 | 2 of 3 |
| Key difference | — | Phytosphingosine | Lactic Acid | Lactic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Geek Gorgeous Porefectly ClearTula Clear Up
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 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
- 5Safety Assessment of Isoparaffins as Used in Cosmeticsjournals.sagepub.com
- 6Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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