Personal Day Doing the Work Acne Treatment
Works for
ExfoliationSalicylic acid, Lactic acidWorks well
“Formulated with 2% Salicylic Acid, this toner exfoliates inside the pores to clear buildup and congestion that can lead to breakouts.”
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: lactic acid, salicylic acid.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Glycerin + 3 moreWorks well
“Formulated with 2% Salicylic Acid, this toner exfoliates inside the pores to clear buildup and congestion that can lead to breakouts.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, lactic acid.
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
Anti-blemishNiacinamide, Salicylic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Doing the Work Acne Treatment”
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.
Evens skin toneNiacinamide, Potassium azeloyl diglycinate + 2 moreWorks well
“more balanced, even-looking complexion”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: lactic acid, 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.
Anti-agingSide benefit · Niacinamide, Lactic acidWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: lactic 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 flagged ingredientsLow 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~40–60%
Methylpropanediol~8.9–13.4%
Glycerin~4.8–7.2%
- 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 GlycerinNiacinamide~3.3–5%
- 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 NiacinamidePotassium azeloyl diglycinate~2.3–3.5%
- 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 diglycinateLactic acid~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidSodium hydroxide~1.3–2%
Hydroxyacetophenone~1–1.5%
Zinc hydrolyzed hyaluronate~0.85–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
1,2-hexanediol~0.3–0.75%
Caprylyl glycol~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolXanthan gum~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumMalic acid~0.1–0.35%
Sodium gluconate~0.05–0.2%
Biosaccharide gum-4~0.05–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Salicylic acid, Water, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Potassium azeloyl diglycinate, Lactic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Zinc hydrolyzed hyaluronate, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Xanthan gum, Malic acid, Sodium gluconate, Biosaccharide gum-4
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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.
| Personal DayDoing the Work Acne TreatmentYOUR PRODUCT | ITKtri-acid toner | CeraVeBlemish Control Gel Moisturiser with 2% Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide for Blemish-Prone Skin | DERMAFLASHBotanical KetoAcid Toner for Face | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 77% | 73% | 68% |
| Price | — | $12.75 | $11.89 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Gluconolactone | Glycolic Acid | Arginine |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | High |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Skincare by Dr V BODY SMOOTHING EXFOLIATORINNBEAUTY PROJECT Down to Tone Life Changing Toner
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 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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