Works for
Anti-blemishNiacinamide, Salicylic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“Treat problem skin to the rapid benefits of Medik8 Blemish SOS Treatment , a targeted spot treatment that visibly reduces breakouts in 24 hours*.”
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.
In addition, this product contains potassium azeloyl diglycinate. It can help in reducing blemishes, even though it is less effective.
ExfoliationSalicylic acidWorks well
“Fortified with exfoliating Salicylic Acid and soothing Niacinamide, the quick-drying spot treatment helps to diminish the appearance of blemishes to encourage a clarified, healthy-looking complexion.”
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-agingNot advertised by the brand · NiacinamideWorks 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 + 1 moreWorks well
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin.
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
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Potassium azeloyl diglycinate + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide, potassium azeloyl diglycinate, 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil + 2 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.~7.8–11.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Isopentyldiol~3.9–5.8%
Niacinamide~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~0.9–1.4%
- 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 acidPolyacrylate crosspolymer-6~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octadecenedioic acid~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together. Might help suppress growth of acne-triggering bacteria in skin
More about Octadecenedioic acidGlycerin~0.95–1.4%
- 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 GlycerinPotassium azeloyl diglycinate~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A derivative of azelaic acid. It is obtained by reacting the chloride of azelaic acid with two molecules of glycine (an amino acid) and potassium hydroxide. It is less studied than azelaic acid, but the available research suggests that it also can be effective in reducing skin redness, hyperpigmentation and blemishes. There are claims that it is more bio-available and more effective than azelaic acid, but no comparison study is available. Potassium azeloyl diglycinate is better soluble in water compared with azelaic acid. Because of this property, products with potassium azeloyl digclycinate can have a nicer texture
More about Potassium azeloyl diglycinatePhenoxyethanol~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolRosmarinus officinalis leaf oil~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin. Can be used as a fragrance. Has anti-bacterial properties and might help neutralize free radicals on the surface of the skin
More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oilEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.35%
Limonene~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Alcohol denat., Isopentyldiol, Niacinamide, Salicylic acid, Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, Octadecenedioic acid, Glycerin, Potassium azeloyl diglycinate, Phenoxyethanol, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, Linalool
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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.
| Medik8Blemish SOS TreatmentYOUR PRODUCT | Transparent LabPIH Sun Spot Fading Treatment | Transparent LabsPIH SUN SPOT FADING TREATMENT | GlytoneEnhance Brightening Solution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 93% | 93% | 92% |
| Price | — | $18.74 | $18.74 | $32.25 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Kojic Acid | Kojic Acid | Glycolic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Skincare by Dr V BODY SMOOTHING EXFOLIATORDr. Brandt DARK SPOTS NO MORE
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 5A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
- 6
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