Philosophy Clear Days Ahead Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment & Moisturizer
Works for
2 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Anti-blemish1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“Clear Days Ahead Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment & 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.
Moisturizing10 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
“Clear Days Ahead Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment & Moisturizer”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
Evens skin tone1 ingredient credited for this claimLimited support
“This refreshing treatment improves skin tone and texture, and provides oil control for a beautiful matte finish.”
This product might help improve the skin tone through exfoliation. In other words, it helps to speed up the shedding of cells from the upper layer of the skin, and this might help reduce hyperpigmentation.
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
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 · 1 ingredient credited for this claimModerate support
This product contains oligopeptide-10. 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy12 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Salicylic acid1%
- 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~7.5–9.1%
- 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 DimethiconePolysilicone-11~5.6–6.8%
- 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-11Butylene glycol~3.1–3.8%
- 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 glycolAcacia decurrens/jojoba/sunflower seed wax polyglyceryl-3 esters~2.5–3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Acacia decurrens/jojoba/sunflower seed wax polyglyceryl-3 estersCaprylic/capric triglyceride~2.1–2.6%
- 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 triglycerideSodium acrylates copolymer~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Sodium acrylates copolymerSqualane~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneLecithin~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinOligopeptide-10~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Oligopeptide-10Tocopheryl acetate~0.65–1%
- 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 acetateTrimethylpentanediol/adipic acid copolymer~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a nice, clear product finish on the skin
More about Trimethylpentanediol/adipic acid copolymerOctyldodecyl neopentanoate~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Often used to stabilize other ingredients, for example, sunscreen
More about Octyldodecyl neopentanoateCeteareth-20~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Cetearyl alcohol~0.5–0.7%
- 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 alcoholPolysorbate 60~0.3–0.55%
Ppg-12/smdi copolymer~0.45–0.7%
Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.15–0.25%
- 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 copolymerEthoxydiglycol~0.1–0.15%
Sodium hydroxide~0.1–0.15%
Disodium edta~0.01–0.05%
O-cymen-5-ol~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Salicylic acid, Water, Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Butylene glycol, Acacia decurrens/jojoba/sunflower seed wax polyglyceryl-3 esters, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Sodium acrylates copolymer, Squalane, Lecithin, Oligopeptide-10, Tocopheryl acetate, Trimethylpentanediol/adipic acid copolymer, Octyldodecyl neopentanoate, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Ppg-12/smdi copolymer, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Ethoxydiglycol, Sodium hydroxide, Disodium edta, O-cymen-5-ol
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Affiliate links · prices updated regularly · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.
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.
| PhilosophyClear Days Ahead Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment & MoisturizerYOUR PRODUCT | CeraVePsoriasis Moisturizing Cream | BeautycounterCountermatch Recovery Sleeping Cream | Cetaphilgentle clear mattifying acne moisturizer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 77% | 76% | 75% |
| Price | $40.00 | — | $62.00+$22.00 | $10.97−$29.03 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 7 | 3 of 7 | 4 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Betaine | Bisabolol |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 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
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.