Peter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Oil-Free Matte Moisturizer
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid, Allantoin + 1 moreStrong evidence
“Acne-Clear Oil-Free Matte Moisturizer”
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.
MoisturizingPanthenol, Sodium pca + 16 moreStrong evidence
“Acne-Clear Oil-Free Matte Moisturizer”
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, polyglycerin-3.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · Salicylic acid, AllantoinStrong evidence
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy16 flagged ingredientsMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 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~45–55%
Dimethicone~7.3–8.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconePropanediol~5.1–6.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolCaprylic/capric triglyceride~3.7–4.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideGlycerin~2.4–3%
- 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 GlycerinJojoba esters~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba estersIsodecyl neopentanoate~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin. It also forms a protective on its surface to reduce water loss.
More about Isodecyl neopentanoateCetearyl alcohol~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholPanthenol~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolPolysilicone-11~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that forms a light film on the skin surface helping to bind water and temporarily absorb oils creating a matt and powdery feel
More about Polysilicone-11Cordyceps sinensis extract~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Trametes versicolor extract~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A mushroom extract that might have some skin-lightening and moisturizing properties, but solid research is lacking. It is unlikely to be effective in the concentration used in skincare products
More about Trametes versicolor extractHelianthus annuus seed wax~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and support skin's barrier function while creating a thicker product consistency
More about Helianthus annuus seed waxSodium hydroxide~0.5–0.75%
Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerPolyacrylate crosspolymer-6~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ceteareth-20~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Isohexadecane~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
More about IsohexadecaneTocopheryl acetate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateHydrogenated lecithin~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinAloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceButylene glycol~0.3–0.55%
- 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 glycolAllantoin~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinDisodium edta~0.25–0.45%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateAcacia decurrens flower wax~0.25–0.45%
Polyglycerin-3~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Polyglycerin-3Phenoxyethanol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPolysorbate 60~0.25–0.45%
Sodium pca~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaSodium citrate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateSorbitan isostearate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateMaclura cochinchinensis leaf prenylflavonoids~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
T-butyl alcohol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to dissolve other ingredients and to improve smell of products. It could be irritating
More about T-butyl alcoholGlycosaminoglycans~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Long sugars that help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about GlycosaminoglycansPotassium sorbate~0.1–0.25%
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.2%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.2%
Citric acid~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidTrisodium edta~0.05%
Ingredient list view
Salicylic acid, Water, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Glycerin, Jojoba esters, Isodecyl neopentanoate, Cetearyl alcohol, Panthenol, Polysilicone-11, Cordyceps sinensis extract, Trametes versicolor extract, Helianthus annuus seed wax, Sodium hydroxide, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, Ceteareth-20, Isohexadecane, Tocopheryl acetate, Hydrogenated lecithin, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Butylene glycol, Allantoin, Disodium edta, Sodium hyaluronate, Acacia decurrens flower wax, Polyglycerin-3, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 60, Sodium pca, Sodium citrate, Sorbitan isostearate, Maclura cochinchinensis leaf prenylflavonoids, T-butyl alcohol, Glycosaminoglycans, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric acid, Trisodium edta
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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.
| Peter Thomas RothAcne-Clear Oil-Free Matte MoisturizerYOUR PRODUCT | Colleen Rothschild BeautyWeightless Moisturizer | AtwaterOil Regulator Facial Moisturizer | The Jojoba CompanyIntense Overnight Renewal Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 84% | 79% | 78% |
| Price | $38.00 | — | $35.00−$3.00 | $45.45+$7.45 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 13 | 5 of 13 | 3 of 13 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Niacinamide | Butyrospermum Parkii Butter |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Peter Thomas Roth - Acne-Clear Oil-Free Matte Moisturizer" has a good moisturizing formula. The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Panthenol, glycerin, polyglycerin-3, sodium hyaluronate and sodium pca in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Glycosaminoglycans, helianthus annuus seed wax, jojoba esters, caprylic/capric triglyceride and dimethicone in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- This formulation also uses an effective concentration of panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 1.20% - 1.50%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 61.25A$ in Australia and for 38.00$ 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 17 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
- 6Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
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