SEPHORA COLLECTION

SEPHORA COLLECTION Targeted Pores Serum with BHA + PHA

Name: SEPHORA COLLECTION - Targeted Pores Serum with BHA + PHA
Brand: SEPHORA COLLECTION

Efficacy75/100IrritancyMedium

See all ingredients

Works for

Exfoliation

Gluconolactone, Salicylic acid

Works well

What the product description says

“, PHA From natural origin and extracted from corn, this acid is known for its exfoliating properties.”

Source: Sephora

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: gluconolactone.

GluconolactoneKey activeEffect: HighA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals~4.9–7.4%

Salicylic acidUnder-dosedUsed 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)~0.35–0.85%

Anti-blemish

Gluconolactone, Salicylic acid + 2 more

Not delivered

What the product description says

“Targeted Pores Serum with BHA + PHA”

From product name

This product contains ingredients (gluconolactone) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.

GluconolactoneEffect: MediumA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals~4.9–7.4%

Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractUnder-dosedCan be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating~0.05–0.25%

Oleanolic acidUnder-dosedMight be helpful against blemishes, work as an anti-oxidant, reduce inflammation and improve skin's ability to hold on to moisture, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness when applied topically to human skin~0.05–0.15%

Anti-aging

Side benefit · Gluconolactone, Oleanolic acid

Works well

This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains gluconolactone.

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.

Evens skin tone

Side benefit · Gluconolactone, Salicylic acid

Works well

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: gluconolactone

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.

Salicylic acidEffect: Low, below effective doseUsed 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)~0.35–0.85%

Anti-oxidation

Side benefit · Gluconolactone, Enantia chlorantha bark extract + 2 more

May help

This product contains antioxidants (gluconolactone) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.

GluconolactoneKey activeEffect: MediumA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals~4.9–7.4%

Enantia chlorantha bark extractEffect: LowA bark extract that might help clam down inflammation and neutralize free radicals , but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking~0.15–0.65%

Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractEffect: Low, below effective doseCan be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating~0.05–0.25%

Moisturizing

Side benefit · Gluconolactone, Helianthus annuus seed oil + 5 more

Works

This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: helianthus annuus seed oil, glyceryl caprylate.

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).

Helianthus annuus seed oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function~0.1–0.4%

Butylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowUsed 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~2.7–4%

Pentylene glycol· EmollientEffect: LowUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture~2–3.1%

Glyceryl caprylate· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products~0.5–1.2%

LecithinEffect: Low, below effective doseUsed mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.35–0.8%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

2 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract

Medium risk

We flagged 8 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Alcohol denat.Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve productsHigh~1.6–2.4%est.

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~0.35–0.85%est.

Enantia chlorantha bark extractA bark extract that might help clam down inflammation and neutralize free radicals , but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lackingHigh~0.15–0.65%est.

Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractCan be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.25%est.

GluconolactoneA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicalsMedium~4.9–7.4%est.

Pentylene glycolUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product textureMedium~2–3.1%est.

Sodium acrylates copolymerUsed to create a thicker product consistencyMedium~0.8–1.25%est.

T-butyl alcoholUsed to dissolve other ingredients and to improve smell of products. It could be irritatingMedium~0.05–0.15%est.

Comedogenic

Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients

None flagged

Alternatives

Cheaper, or higher on efficacy

cocokind probiotic acne serum

Higher efficacy · 87/10096% match

$20.00

TOUN28 AHA + BHA + PHA Serum

Higher efficacy · 100/10094% match

$37.90

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Gluconolactone~4.9–7.4%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

ExfoliationAnti-agingEvens skin toneMoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-blemish

A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals

More about Gluconolactone

Propanediol~3.7–5.5%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

More about Propanediol

Butylene glycol~2.7–4%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

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 glycol

Pentylene glycol~2–3.1%

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

Alcohol denat.~1.6–2.4%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products

More about Alcohol denat.

Silica~1.5–2.3%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to absorb oil and can temporarily mattify skin

More about Silica

Sodium hydroxide~1.1–1.7%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide

Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~0.9–1.35%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions

More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer

Sodium acrylates copolymer~0.8–1.25%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Sodium acrylates copolymer

Glyceryl caprylate~0.5–1.2%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products

More about Glyceryl caprylate

Salicylic acid~0.35–0.85%

Under-dosedIrritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

ExfoliationAnti-inflammatoryAnti-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

Xanthan gum~0.35–0.8%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum

Lecithin~0.35–0.8%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

CleansingMoisturizing

Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Lecithin

Enantia chlorantha bark extract~0.15–0.65%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Anti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidation

A bark extract that might help clam down inflammation and neutralize free radicals , but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking

More about Enantia chlorantha bark extract

Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.45%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate

Sodium phytate~0.1–0.45%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to stabilize product formulations

More about Sodium phytate

Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.1–0.4%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function

More about Helianthus annuus seed oil

Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract~0.05–0.25%

Under-dosedIrritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Anti-blemishAntibacterialAnti-oxidation

Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating

More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract

T-butyl alcohol~0.05–0.15%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Used to dissolve other ingredients and to improve smell of products. It could be irritating

More about T-butyl alcohol

Oleanolic acid~0.05–0.15%

Under-dosed

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Anti-agingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidationMoisturizingAnti-blemish

Might be helpful against blemishes, work as an anti-oxidant, reduce inflammation and improve skin's ability to hold on to moisture, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness when applied topically to human skin

More about Oleanolic acid

Denatonium benzoate~0.01–0.1%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Denatonium benzoate

Ingredient list view

Water, Gluconolactone, Propanediol, Butylene glycol, Pentylene glycol, Alcohol denat., Silica, Sodium hydroxide, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Sodium acrylates copolymer, Glyceryl caprylate, Salicylic acid, Xanthan gum, Lecithin, Enantia chlorantha bark extract, Sodium benzoate, Sodium phytate, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, T-butyl alcohol, Oleanolic acid, Denatonium benzoate

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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 COLLECTIONTargeted Pores Serum with BHA + PHAYOUR PRODUCT	cocokindprobiotic acne serum	TOUN28AHA + BHA + PHA Serum	Geek GorgeousCalm Down Liquid
Match	—	96%	94%	93%
Price	—	$20.00	$37.90	$13.02
Shared key ingredients	—	3 of 3	2 of 3	2 of 3
Key difference	—	Lactobacillus Ferment	Niacinamide	Lactobionic Acid
Irritancy	Medium	Low	Low	Low
Drying alcohol	Contains drying alcohol	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop

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Product summary

"SEPHORA COLLECTION - Targeted Pores Serum with BHA + PHA" is effective for: Exfoliation, Anti-aging and Evens skin tone

This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.

Ingredient callouts

Exfoliating acids (). In this concentration, they will have a noticeable exfoliating effect. They can also have an anti-aging effect and stimulate collagen production in a long-run. PHAs (gluconolactone 4.90% - 7.40%) in this product also work for improving skin hydration. They might be even able to stimulate the production of skin's natural humectants and support the healthy skin microbiome.
Salicylic acid (0.35% - 0.85%). This is an oil-soluble exfoliating acid. Because of this property, it can work inside pores and help reduce the congestion. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and is used to treat acne. Because it is a quite strong exfoliator, be careful with using this product too often: it could result in over-exfoliation.