Good Molecules

Good Molecules BHA Clarify Gel Cream

Name: Good Molecules - BHA Clarify Gel Cream
Brand: Good Molecules

Efficacy87/100IrritancyLow·

See all ingredients

Works for

Anti-blemish

Salicylic acid, Centella asiatica extract + 2 more

Works well

What the product description says

“Good Molecules BHA Clarify Gel Cream is formulated with a blend of salicylic acid to fight breakouts, green tea and centella asiatica extracts to calm, and pomegranate and grapeseed oils to hydrate without clogging pores.”

Source: Goog Molecules

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.

Salicylic acidHeroEffect: HighUsed 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)~1.5–2.2%

Centella asiatica extractEffect: LowA plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.~0.2–0.7%

AllantoinEffect: Low, below effective doseHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.35–0.8%

Camellia sinensis leaf extractEffect: Low, below effective doseCan 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~0.05–0.15%

Moisturizing

Diheptyl succinate, Glycerin + 8 more

Works

What the product description says

“Good Molecules BHA Clarify Gel Cream is formulated with a blend of salicylic acid to fight breakouts, green tea and centella asiatica extracts to calm, and pomegranate and grapeseed oils to hydrate without clogging pores.”

Source: Goog Molecules

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, caprylyl 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: vitis vinifera seed oil, diheptyl succinate.

Diheptyl succinateKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumHelps to soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice product finish on the skin~3.4–5.2%

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~2.6–3.8%

Centella asiatica extractKey activeEffect: HighA plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.~0.2–0.7%

Punica granatum seed oilKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.2–0.8%

Vitis vinifera seed oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighA great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties~0.15–0.7%

Capryloyl glycerin/sebacic acid copolymerKey activeEffect: MediumHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.1–0.3%

Caprylyl glycol· Humectant, EmollientEffect: LowHelps preserve products and creates a nice product texture~1.3–1.9%

Camellia sinensis seed oilUnder-dosedA plant oil that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help restore the skin barrier. Might have some anti-oxidant effect~0.35–0.8%

AllantoinUnder-dosedHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.35–0.8%

Exfoliation

Side benefit · Salicylic acid, Allantoin

Works well

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.

Salicylic acidKey activeEffect: HighUsed 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)~1.5–2.2%

AllantoinEffect: Low, below effective doseHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.35–0.8%

Anti-aging

Side benefit · Centella asiatica extract, Camellia sinensis seed oil + 1 more

May help

This product contains centella asiatica extract. 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.

Centella asiatica extractKey activeEffect: MediumA plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.~0.2–0.7%

Camellia sinensis seed oilEffect: Low, below effective doseA plant oil that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help restore the skin barrier. Might have some anti-oxidant effect~0.35–0.8%

Anti-oxidation

Side benefit · Centella asiatica extract, Vitis vinifera seed oil + 4 more

May help

This product contains antioxidants (centella asiatica 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.

Vitis vinifera seed oilEffect: LowA great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties~0.15–0.7%

Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractEffect: LowA plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals~0.1–0.3%

BisabololEffect: Low, below effective doseAn 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~0.2–0.75%

Camellia sinensis leaf extractUnder-dosedCan 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~0.05–0.15%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

10 flagged ingredients

Low risk

We flag 10 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Salicylic acidUsed 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)High~1.5–2.2%est.

Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~1.3–1.9%est.

EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.8–1.25%est.

Triethyl citrateUsed as a fragrance. Rarely causes irritationMedium~0.5–1.1%est.

Benzoic acidA preservativeMedium~0.25–0.5%est.

Vitis vinifera seed oilA great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant propertiesMedium~0.15–0.7%est.

Centella asiatica extractA plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.Medium~0.2–0.7%est.

T-butyl alcoholUsed to dissolve other ingredients and to improve smell of products. It could be irritatingMedium~0.1–0.35%est.

1,2-hexanediolA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.25%est.

Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractA plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicalsMedium~0.1–0.3%est.

Comedogenic

Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients

None flagged

Alternatives

Cheaper, or higher on efficacy

Paula's choice Invisible Finish Moisture Gel

Higher efficacy · 100/10081% match

$39.56

Face facts Ceramide Blemish Gel Moisturiser

CheaperHigher efficacy · 100/10081% match

$2.68

View all alternatives

User reviews

Would you recommend?

100%·yes

1 of 1 community members would buy it again.

100% would0% wouldn't

MintYulip· Mar 2023Recommends
Contains no added fragrance or perfume, but carries a distinctive scent that I would describe as herbal/old fashioned/medicinal. I really love it, but others might not. Exfoliates like any BHA and leaves a dewy, "glass skin" finish.
Finish
Dewy
Clogging pores
Doesn't clog pores

What reviewers noticed

Marker shows the average response

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Propanediol~4.4–6.5%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

More about Propanediol

Diheptyl succinate~3.4–5.2%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice product finish on the skin

More about Diheptyl succinate

Glycerin~2.6–3.8%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

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 Glycerin

Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~2.1–3.1%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions

More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer

Salicylic acid~1.5–2.2%

Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Anti-blemishExfoliationAnti-inflammatoryAntibacterialEvens skin tone

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 acid

Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol

Caprylyl glycol~1.3–1.9%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol

Tromethamine~1–1.5%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Helps adjust pH in products

More about Tromethamine

Ethylhexylglycerin~0.8–1.25%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin

Triethyl citrate~0.5–1.1%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Used as a fragrance. Rarely causes irritation

More about Triethyl citrate

Benzoic acid~0.25–0.5%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about Benzoic acid

Allantoin~0.35–0.8%

Under-dosed

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryReduces irritationReduces rednessAnti-blemishExfoliation

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

More about Allantoin

Camellia sinensis seed oil~0.35–0.8%

Under-dosed

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

A plant oil that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help restore the skin barrier. Might have some anti-oxidant effect

More about Camellia sinensis seed oil

Bisabolol~0.2–0.75%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Anti-inflammatoryReduces irritationAnti-oxidation

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 Bisabolol

Punica granatum seed oil~0.2–0.8%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Punica granatum seed oil

Vitis vinifera seed oil~0.15–0.7%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties

More about Vitis vinifera seed oil

Centella asiatica extract~0.2–0.7%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Anti-inflammatoryReduces rednessMoisturizingReduces irritationAnti-oxidationAnti-agingAnti-blemish

A plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.

More about Centella asiatica extract

Diglucosyl gallic acid~0.1–0.45%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Diglucosyl gallic acid

T-butyl alcohol~0.1–0.35%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Used to dissolve other ingredients and to improve smell of products. It could be irritating

More about T-butyl alcohol

1,2-hexanediol~0.05–0.25%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about 1,2-hexanediol

Capryloyl glycerin/sebacic acid copolymer~0.1–0.3%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Capryloyl glycerin/sebacic acid copolymer

Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.1–0.3%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Anti-inflammatoryReduces rednessEvens skin toneAnti-oxidationAntibacterial

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 extract

Lilium candidum bulb extract~0.05–0.15%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Lilium candidum bulb extract

Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.05–0.15%

Under-dosed

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Anti-oxidationAntibacterialAnti-agingAnti-blemishEvens skin toneMoisturizing

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 extract

Ingredient list view

Water, Propanediol, Diheptyl succinate, Glycerin, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Salicylic acid, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethyl citrate, Benzoic acid, Allantoin, Camellia sinensis seed oil, Bisabolol, Punica granatum seed oil, Vitis vinifera seed oil, Centella asiatica extract, Diglucosyl gallic acid, T-butyl alcohol, 1,2-hexanediol, Capryloyl glycerin/sebacic acid copolymer, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Lilium candidum bulb extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
	Good MoleculesBHA Clarify Gel CreamYOUR PRODUCT	Paula's choiceInvisible Finish Moisture Gel	Face factsCeramide Blemish Gel Moisturiser	e.l.f. CosmeticsBlemish Breakthrough Blemish Calming Water Cream
Match	—	81%	81%	80%
Price	$10.00	$39.56+$29.56	$2.68−$7.32	$14.00+$4.00
Shared key ingredients	—	1 of 7	2 of 7	3 of 7
Key difference	—	Niacinamide	Niacinamide	Niacinamide
Irritancy	Low	Low	Low	Low
Drying alcohol	—	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop