First Aid Beauty Pharma BHA Acne Spot Treatment Gel 2% Salicylic Acid
Works for
ExfoliationSalicylic acid, Glycolic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“Packed with exfoliating and resurfacing acids and fruit enzymes, it helps fight the formation of acne marks.”
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.
MoisturizingUrea, Colloidal oatmeal + 4 moreWorks well
“- Aloe Vera: A botanical that calms, soothes, and nourishes skin.”
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, butylene glycol.
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: colloidal oatmeal.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: colloidal oatmeal, urea
Evens skin toneGlycolic acid, Salicylic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“- Glycolic Acid: An alpha-hydroxy acid that resurfaces skin‘s appearance and discourages the formation of visible post-acne marks.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: 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: glycyrrhiza glabra root extract.
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.
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid, Glycolic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“Pharma BHA Acne Spot Treatment Gel 2% Salicylic Acid”
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.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: glycolic acid
Anti-agingSide benefit · Glycolic acid, Camellia sinensis leaf extract + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid.
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.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Bisabolol + 2 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (camellia sinensis leaf extract) 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: Carica papaya fruit extract, Chrysanthemum parthenium extractMedium 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%
Butylene glycol~9.2–11.2%
- 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 glycolHydroxyethylcellulose~6.2–7.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseGlycerin~3.4–4.2%
- 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium hydroxide~2.2–2.7%
Glycolic acid~1.8–2.2%
- 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 acidUrea~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations
More about UreaAloe barbadensis leaf juice~1.3–1.6%
- 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 juiceBisabolol~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololColloidal oatmeal~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to restore skin barrier function, soften the upper layer of the skin and calm down inflammation
More about Colloidal oatmealMaltodextrin~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinCarica papaya fruit extract~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
Potassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%
Sodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.5–0.75%
- 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 extractChrysanthemum parthenium extract~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Could have anti-inflammatory effect on skin, but can be irritating as well. Can be added to products for its smell
More about Chrysanthemum parthenium extractGlycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractSalix nigra bark extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might contain salicylic acid
More about Salix nigra bark extractDisodium phosphate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps adjust the product pH and stabilize the formulation
More about Disodium phosphatePolysorbate 60~0.15–0.3%
Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determine
More about Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrateSodium phosphate~0.1–0.15%
Citric acid~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidIngredient list view
Salicylic acid, Water, Butylene glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium hydroxide, Glycolic acid, Urea, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Bisabolol, Colloidal oatmeal, Maltodextrin, Carica papaya fruit extract, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Chrysanthemum parthenium extract, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Salix nigra bark extract, Disodium phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Sodium phosphate, Citric 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.
| First Aid BeautyPharma BHA Acne Spot Treatment Gel 2% Salicylic AcidYOUR PRODUCT | CeraVeBlemish Control Gel Moisturiser with 2% Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide for Blemish-Prone Skin | Beauty RxMaximum 15% Exfoliating Cream | Deviant SkincareGentle Resurfacing Liquid | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 81% | 79% | 78% |
| Price | — | $11.89 | $75.00 | $52.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 4 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Lactic Acid | Lactic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Peter Thomas Roth Goodbye Acne Acne AHA/BHA Acne Clearing Gel Face Body Spot TreatmentSkin Control Peel Pads
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 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
- 6
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