Facetheory BHA Exfoliating Serum S3 with 2% Salicylic Acid and Green Tea Extract Unscented
Works for
ExfoliationSalicylic acidWorks well
“BHA Exfoliating Serum S3 with 2% Salicylic Acid and Green Tea Extract Unscented”
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 acid, Carnitine + 2 moreWorks well
“BHA Exfoliant Serum S3 with an enhanced formulation of 5% BHAs (salicylic acid and carnitine) to stimulate cell renewal while fighting acne, blackheads and whiteheads.”
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.
MoisturizingCarnitine, Polyglyceryl-6 stearate + 6 moreWorks
“The new key active ingredient is carnitine, a beta hydroxy acid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties proven to enhance skin hydration and help control sebum production.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
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).
Evens skin toneSalicylic acid, Camellia sinensis leaf extractNot delivered
“Salicylic acid expedites skin cell renewal to reveal a softer and brighter complexion.”
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-agingTocopherol, Camellia sinensis leaf extract + 1 moreNot delivered
“Facetheory’s leave-on liquid exfoliator has been reformulated with 5% BHAs – 2% salicylic acid and now with 3% carnitine – to target acne, dead cells, wrinkles and fine lines while hydrating and nourishing skin.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Sodium anisateMedium 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%
Propanediol~4.5–6.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolButyloctyl salicylate~3.6–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A synthetic ester of salicylic acid that is used to help disperse pigments and boost effectiveness of sunscreen ingredients. It is able to absorb UV light (working as an organic, or chemical filter), but is not approved as a sunscreen ingredient on its own
More about Butyloctyl salicylateCarnitine~3.9–5.8%
Polyglyceryl-6 stearate~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Polyglyceryl-6 stearateSalicylic acid~1–1.5%
- 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 acidGlycerin~1.4–2.2%
- 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 GlycerinPolyglyceryl-4 oleate~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-4 oleateTocopherol~0.95–1.4%
- 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 TocopherolCetyl hydroxyethylcellulose~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize formulations
More about Cetyl hydroxyethylcelluloseGlyceryl caprylate~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylateSodium anisate~0.4–0.9%
Sodium levulinate~0.35–0.75%
Polyglyceryl-6 behenate~0.15–0.7%
Xanthan gum~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumChamomilla recutita flower extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita flower extractSodium hyaluronate~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.05–0.2%
- 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 extractAloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.05–0.1%
- 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 juiceIngredient list view
Water, Propanediol, Butyloctyl salicylate, Carnitine, Polyglyceryl-6 stearate, Salicylic acid, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-4 oleate, Tocopherol, Cetyl hydroxyethylcellulose, Glyceryl caprylate, Sodium anisate, Sodium levulinate, Polyglyceryl-6 behenate, Xanthan gum, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice
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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.
| FacetheoryBHA Exfoliating Serum S3 with 2% Salicylic Acid and Green Tea Extract UnscentedYOUR PRODUCT | One Ocean BeautyRevitalising Sea Serum | The INKEY List CA360° Clarifying Serum | UltraceuticalsUltra B2 Hydrating Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 92% | 91% | 91% |
| Price | — | $62.60 | $17.15 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 6 | 3 of 6 | 2 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 | Panthenol | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: psa LIQUID CLARITY BHA & Bakuchiol Blemish Recovery BoosterPSA Skin Liquid Clarity BHA and Bakuchiol Blemish Recovery Booster
Product summary
"Facetheory - BHA Exfoliating Serum S3 with 2% Salicylic Acid and Green Tea Extract Unscented" is effective for: Anti-inflammatory, Exfoliation and Anti-blemish
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Salicylic acid (1.00% - 1.50%). This is an oil-soluble exfoliating acid. Because of this property, it can work inside pores and help reduce the congestion. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and is used to treat acne. Because it is a quite strong exfoliator, be careful with using this product too often: it could result in over-exfoliation.
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.05% - 0.25% and glycerin 1.40% - 2.20%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Facetheory" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 19.99£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 4A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
- 5
- 6
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