Works for
Anti-blemishSalicylic acidWorks well
“Blue Herbal Spot Treatment”
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.
ExfoliationSalicylic acidWorks well
“It helps slough off the dry, rough uppermost layer, leaving skin looking smoother and healthier.”
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.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Glycerin, Butylene glycol + 1 moreWorks
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, butylene 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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Hamamelis virginiana water + 5 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Salicylic acid1.5%
- 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 acidWater~45–55%
Alcohol denat.~10–13%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Glycerin~5.7–6.9%
- 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 GlycerinButylene glycol~3.5–4.2%
- 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 glycolMethyl methacrylate crosspolymer~2.9–3.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps thicken the product consistency
More about Methyl methacrylate crosspolymerAmmonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~2.2–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl tauratePerlite~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of volcanic glass. Absorbs moisture and can temporarily mattify the skin
More about PerliteNylon-12~1.7–2.1%
Dipropylene glycol~1.3–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolXanthan gum~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPeumus boldus leaf extract~0.8–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Boswellia serrata extract~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hamamelis virginiana water~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana waterT-butyl alcohol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to dissolve other ingredients and to improve smell of products. It could be irritating
More about T-butyl alcoholCamphor~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Menthol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Zingiber officinale root extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can contain an irritating essential oil. Might have some anti-oxidant effect, but evidence is lacking
More about Zingiber officinale root extractSanguisorba officinalis root extract~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cinnamomum cassia bark extract~0.3–0.55%
Phenoxyethanol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCinnamal~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Laminaria saccharina extract~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A seaweed extract that contains sugars and can be helpful in attracting water to the upper layers of the skin if used in high enough concentrations
More about Laminaria saccharina extractZinc sulfate~0.1–0.2%
Pyridoxine hcl~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Pyridoxine hclSodium hydroxide~0.05–0.15%
Citric acid~0.05%
- 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, Alcohol denat., Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Perlite, Nylon-12, Dipropylene glycol, Xanthan gum, Peumus boldus leaf extract, Boswellia serrata extract, Hamamelis virginiana water, T-butyl alcohol, Camphor, Menthol, Zingiber officinale root extract, Sanguisorba officinalis root extract, Cinnamomum cassia bark extract, Phenoxyethanol, Cinnamal, Laminaria saccharina extract, Zinc sulfate, Pyridoxine hcl, Sodium hydroxide, 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.
| Kiehl'sBlue Herbal Spot TreatmentYOUR PRODUCT | CliniqueClarifying Do-Over Peel | Perricone MDRetinol Treatment & Moisturizer | GlytoneEnhance Brightening Solution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 99% | 99% | 99% |
| Price | $25.00 | $21.75−$3.25 | — | $30.64+$5.64 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 |
| Key difference | — | Lactobionic Acid | Niacinamide | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Paula's choice Resist Anti-Aging Daily Pore-Refining Treatment BHA Full sizeFace Reality Skincare Professional Clear Synergy Peel 3
Product summary
"Kiehl's - Blue Herbal Spot Treatment" is effective for: Anti-inflammatory, Anti-blemish and Exfoliation
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Humectants (glycerin 5.70% - 6.90%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 20.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
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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