SEPHORA COLLECTION

SEPHORA COLLECTION Clarifying Serum

Name: SEPHORA COLLECTION - Clarifying Serum
Brand: SEPHORA COLLECTION

Efficacy91/100IrritancyHigh·

See all ingredients

Works for

Anti-blemish

Salicylic acid, Inulin

Works well

What the product description says

“In a scientific test carried out on 22 volunteers, after 2 applications per day for 28 days. . 27% decrease in the appearance of blemishes was reported .”

Source: Sephora CA

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.

Salicylic acidHeroEffect: HighUsed 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)~0.6–1.4%

InulinEffect: LowHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is claimed to support the growth of "good" bacteria in skin (as a "prebiotic"), but the research is lacking~1.5–2.3%

Exfoliation

Salicylic acid

Works well

What the product description says

“Exfoliates. . Natural-Origin Hyaluronic Acid.”

Source: Sephora CA

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.

Salicylic acidKey activeEffect: HighUsed 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)~0.6–1.4%

Moisturizing

Glycerin, Inulin + 5 more

Works

What the product description says

“Moisturizes.”

Source: Sephora CA

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": fructose, 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).

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~2.9–4.4%

InulinKey activeEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is claimed to support the growth of "good" bacteria in skin (as a "prebiotic"), but the research is lacking~1.5–2.3%

Saccharum officinarum extractKey activeEffect: HighSugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~1.3–2%

FructoseKey active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.2–0.75%

Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.15–0.65%

Hydrolyzed alginKey active· HumectantEffect: MediumDerived from brown algae. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.1–0.4%

Pentylene glycol· EmollientEffect: LowUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture~2.4–3.6%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

3 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract + 1 more — patch-test recommended

High risk

We flagged 12 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Salicylic acidUsed 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)High~1.25–2.5%est.

Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extractA plant extract that is used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivityHigh~0.55–1.3%est.

Citrus limon fruit extractUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivityHigh~0.45–1.1%est.

ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.4–0.9%est.

Zinc sulfateA preservative. It can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.4%est.

MethylpropanediolHelps dissolve other ingredients in a formulationMedium~5–7.4%est.

Pentylene glycolUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product textureMedium~2.4–3.6%est.

Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extractA plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but research on its efficacy in skin is lackingMedium~1.8–2.7%est.

Caprylyl/capryl glucosideHelps oil and water mix together. Can be used as a cleansing agentMedium~1.2–1.8%est.

Potassium sorbateA preservativeMedium~0.3–0.6%est.

Acer saccharum extractA plant extract that contains small percentage of AHAs. Is unlikely to have any skin benefit due the small concentration of the active compoundsMedium~0.15–0.6%est.

Polysorbate 60Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.05–0.2%est.

Comedogenic

1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale

1 flagged

These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.

IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount

Hydrolyzed alginDerived from brown algae. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin3/5~0.1–0.4%est.

Alternatives

Cheaper, or higher on efficacy

Tula Clear Up

Higher efficacy · 100/10092% match

$38.00

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Higher efficacy · 100/10092% match

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Origin

Not recognized

Salicylic acid~1.25–2.5%

Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Anti-inflammatoryExfoliationAnti-blemishAntibacterialEvens skin tone

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 acid

Water~12–18%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Methylpropanediol~5–7.4%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Helps dissolve other ingredients in a formulation

More about Methylpropanediol

Glycerin~2.9–4.4%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

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 Glycerin

Pentylene glycol~2.4–3.6%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture

More about Pentylene glycol

Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract~1.8–2.7%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but research on its efficacy in skin is lacking

More about Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract

Inulin~1.5–2.3%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-blemish

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is claimed to support the growth of "good" bacteria in skin (as a "prebiotic"), but the research is lacking

More about Inulin

Saccharum officinarum extract~1.3–2%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Saccharum officinarum extract

Caprylyl/capryl glucoside~1.2–1.8%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be used as a cleansing agent

More about Caprylyl/capryl glucoside

Salicylic acid~0.6–1.4%

Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Anti-inflammatoryExfoliationAnti-blemishAntibacterialEvens skin tone

More about Salicylic acid

Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~0.55–1.3%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

A plant extract that is used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivity

More about Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract

Citrus limon fruit extract~0.45–1.1%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity

More about Citrus limon fruit extract

Potassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about Potassium sorbate

Parfum~0.4–0.9%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum

Hydroxyethylcellulose~0.5–1.1%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures

More about Hydroxyethylcellulose

Fructose~0.2–0.75%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Fructose

Sodium hyaluronate~0.15–0.65%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate

Acer saccharum extract~0.15–0.6%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A plant extract that contains small percentage of AHAs. Is unlikely to have any skin benefit due the small concentration of the active compounds

More about Acer saccharum extract

Hydrolyzed algin~0.1–0.4%

Key activeComedogenic 3/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 3/5

Works for

Moisturizing

Derived from brown algae. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Hydrolyzed algin

Sodium hydroxide~0.1–0.35%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide

Zinc sulfate~0.1–0.4%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

A preservative. It can be irritating

More about Zinc sulfate

Disodium phosphate~0.05–0.2%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Helps adjust the product pH and stabilize the formulation

More about Disodium phosphate

Polysorbate 60~0.05–0.2%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polysorbate 60

Sodium phosphate~0.05–0.15%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Helps stabilize the product formulation

More about Sodium phosphate

Ingredient list view

Unknown, Salicylic acid, Water, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Pentylene glycol, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, Inulin, Saccharum officinarum extract, Caprylyl/capryl glucoside, Salicylic acid, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Potassium sorbate, Parfum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Fructose, Sodium hyaluronate, Acer saccharum extract, Hydrolyzed algin, Sodium hydroxide, Zinc sulfate, Disodium phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Sodium phosphate

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
	SEPHORA COLLECTIONClarifying SerumYOUR PRODUCT	The Purest SolutionsIntensive Hydration Serum Hyaluronic Acid %2 + B5	TulaClear Up	MelyonDetox Serum - Hyaluronic Acid, Broccoli Extract
Match	—	93%	92%	92%
Price	—	$16.99	$38.00	—
Shared key ingredients	—	4 of 6	5 of 6	4 of 6
Key difference	—	Panthenol	Azelaic Acid	Anhydroxylitol
Irritancy	High	Low	Low	Medium
Drying alcohol	—	Contains drying alcohol	—	—
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