Works for
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid, Zinc gluconate + 1 moreWorks well
“Contains acne fighting salicylic acid to help clear up acne blemishes and prevent new ones from forming”
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.
Evens skin toneKojic acid, Salicylic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Formulated with a Skin Brightening Complex to help minimize the appearance of dark marks and hyperpigmentation”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: kojic acid, 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.
MoisturizingCetearyl alcohol, Dimethicone + 11 moreWorks
“Proactiv+® Complexion Perfecting Hydrator is a silky rich cream that combats dryness as it fights breakouts, hydrates, and brightens skin.”
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, butylene glycol.
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: dimethicone, squalane.
ExfoliationSide benefit · Salicylic acid, Zinc gluconate + 1 moreWorks well
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-oxidationSide benefit · Kojic acid, Zinc gluconate + 1 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (kojic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Anti-agingSide benefit · Zinc gluconateMay help
This product contains kojic acid. This ingredient help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they might be able to prevent early signs of aging (like fine lines and wrinkles), at least to some extent. These ingredients will not be able to "reverse" signs of aging.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Salicylic acid0.5%
- 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%
Butylene glycol~9.1–11.1%
- 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 glycolCetearyl alcohol~4.7–5.7%
- 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 alcoholDimethicone~4–4.9%
- 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 DimethiconeSodium polyacrylate~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateGlycerin~2.3–2.8%
- 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 GlycerinCeteareth-20~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Ethylhexyl palmitate~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Ethylhexyl palmitatePolysorbate 60~1.4–1.7%
Hydrogenated polydecene~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Hydrogenated polydeceneAluminum starch octenylsuccinate~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to thicken the product's consistency
More about Aluminum starch octenylsuccinatePpg-2 myristyl ether propionate~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Phenoxyethanol~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolAlpha-glucan oligosaccharide~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Alpha-glucan oligosaccharideSqualane~0.65–1%
- 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 SqualaneCaprylic/capric triglyceride~0.65–0.95%
- 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 triglycerideCaprylyl glycol~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolZinc gluconate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Typically used to stabilize the product formulations. It is a salt of a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) and in larger concentrations, can help shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. It can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals, but solid research is missing. Due to the zinc content, might help calm down inflammation in skin
More about Zinc gluconateC12-15 alkyl lactate~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Morus alba root extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hexylene glycol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.4–0.65%
Bisabolol~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololSafflower oil/palm oil aminopropanediol esters~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Allantoin~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 AllantoinPpg-5-laureth-5~0.35–0.6%
Sodium hydroxide~0.15–0.3%
Kojic acid~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and neutralize free radicals. Can be irritating
More about Kojic acidHydroxypropyl cyclodextrin~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize product formulations and help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydroxypropyl cyclodextrinSophora angustifolia root extract~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Disodium edta~0.05–0.1%
Parfum~0.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Salicylic acid, Water, Butylene glycol, Cetearyl alcohol, Dimethicone, Sodium polyacrylate, Glycerin, Ceteareth-20, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Polysorbate 60, Hydrogenated polydecene, Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, Ppg-2 myristyl ether propionate, Phenoxyethanol, Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, Squalane, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Caprylyl glycol, Zinc gluconate, C12-15 alkyl lactate, Morus alba root extract, Hexylene glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Bisabolol, Safflower oil/palm oil aminopropanediol esters, Allantoin, Ppg-5-laureth-5, Sodium hydroxide, Kojic acid, Hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin, Sophora angustifolia root extract, Disodium edta, Parfum
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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.
| ProactivComplexion Perfecting HydratorYOUR PRODUCT | Cetaphilgentle clear mattifying acne moisturizer | PhilosophyClear Days Ahead Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment & Moisturizer | MG217Salicylic Acid Formula Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 96% | 88% | 86% |
| Price | $48.00 | $10.95−$37.05 | $46.00−$2.00 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 10 of 11 | 4 of 11 | 3 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | Sodium Hyaluronate | Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Beautycounter Countermatch Recovery Sleeping CreamPeter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Oil-Free Matte Moisturizer
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 18 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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