Works for
Anti-blemishNiacinamide, Salicylic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“Improve the appearance of blemishes with Garnier’s SOS stick, designed to give your skin a clearer, healthier look.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide, 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: capryloyl salicylic acid
ExfoliationSalicylic acid, Capryloyl salicylic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Blended with Salicylic Acid, the handy stick has a gentle resurfacing quality, promoting a renewed, fresher end result.”
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: capryloyl salicylic acid, salicylic acid.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Capryloyl salicylic acid + 2 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide, 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: capryloyl salicylic acid.
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-agingNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Zinc gluconateWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
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.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Glycerin + 2 moreWorks well
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, propylene glycol.
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).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy10 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Benzyl salicylate + 8 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.~7.4–11.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Glycerin~3.7–5.6%
- 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 GlycerinNiacinamide~2.8–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideSalicylic acid~1.2–1.9%
- 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 acidAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerTriethanolamine~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineAmmonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~1.2–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateBenzyl alcohol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholBenzyl salicylate~0.55–1.35%
Camphor~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
Capryloyl salicylic acid~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
Citral~0.3–0.75%
Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Eucalyptus globulus leaf extractHexyl cinnamal~0.15–0.6%
Limonene~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.1–0.4%
Menthol~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oilPropylene glycol~0.05–0.2%
- 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 glycolZinc gluconate~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Typically used to stabilize the product formulations. It is a salt of a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) and in larger concentrations, can help shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. It can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals, but solid research is missing. Due to the zinc content, might help calm down inflammation in skin
More about Zinc gluconateParfum~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Alcohol denat., Glycerin, Niacinamide, Salicylic acid, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Benzyl alcohol, Benzyl salicylate, Camphor, Capryloyl salicylic acid, Citral, Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract, Hexyl cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Menthol, Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil, Propylene glycol, Zinc gluconate, Parfum
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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.
| GarnierPure Active SOS Anti-Blemish StickYOUR PRODUCT | AbibGreen LHA Pore Pad Clear Touch | Kiehl'sBreakout Control Acne Treatment Facial Lotion | Transparent LabPIH Sun Spot Fading Treatment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 93% | 88% | 83% |
| Price | — | $18.52 | $45.90 | $18.74 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Adenosine | Zinc Pca | Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: BeautyStat Universal Triple Action Daily Peel with Glucosamine & AHAs/BHAsUltraceuticals Even Skintone Smoothing Serum Mild
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 6A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
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