Works for
Anti-blemishNiacinamide, Salicylic acid + 4 moreWorks well
“Exfoliates to purify your skin microbiome, while clearing clogged pores & brightening marks left behind by past blemishes”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: azelaic acid, niacinamide, salicylic acid. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: zinc pca
ExfoliationSalicylic acid, Azelaic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“Exfoliates to purify your skin microbiome, while clearing clogged pores & brightening marks left behind by past blemishes”
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.
Evens skin toneNiacinamide, Azelaic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“Exfoliates to purify your skin microbiome, while clearing clogged pores & brightening marks left behind by past blemishes”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: azelaic acid, niacinamide, 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.
Anti-agingSide benefit · Niacinamide, Lactococcus ferment lysate + 2 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
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.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Niacinamide, Sodium pca + 10 moreWorks well
“Hydrates and helps soothe skin”
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).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Azelaic acid, Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract + 3 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (azelaic 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).
The following ingredients - epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy8 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Sodium pca~7.3–8.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaGlycerin~3.9–4.8%
- 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 GlycerinSalicylic acid~1.25–2.5%
- 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 acidSodium polyacrylate~2.4–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylatePolyacrylate crosspolymer-6~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Niacinamide~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideLactococcus ferment lysate~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Consists of remains of dead bacteria cells. Is likely helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin. Might be helpful in reducing inflammation and neutralizing free radicals in skin
More about Lactococcus ferment lysateAzelaic acid~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is produced by a yeast that lives on normal human skin. It is used in medicine as a topical treatment for mild to moderate acne. It has a mild exfoliating effect. It can also help reduce hyperpigmentation, helps calm down inflammation and can help neutralize free radicals
More about Azelaic acidInulin~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 InulinFomes officinalis extract~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fungus extract that can help to create a temporary tightening feeling on the skin
More about Fomes officinalis extractButylene glycol~0.6–0.9%
- 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 glycolSodium hyaluronate~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateAllantoin~0.5–0.7%
- 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 AllantoinLactic acid~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidPeumus boldus leaf extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might contain antioxidants
More about Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extractZinc pca~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
More about Zinc pcaBisabolol~0.25–0.45%
- 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 BisabololFructose~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about FructoseSodium metabisulfite~0.1–0.2%
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilPentylene glycol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolSodium chloride~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideSodium benzoate~0.1–0.2%
Xanthan gum~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumEthylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.1%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Water, Sodium pca, Glycerin, Salicylic acid, Sodium polyacrylate, Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, Niacinamide, Lactococcus ferment lysate, Azelaic acid, Inulin, Fomes officinalis extract, Butylene glycol, Sodium hyaluronate, Allantoin, Lactic acid, Peumus boldus leaf extract, Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract, Zinc pca, Bisabolol, Fructose, Sodium metabisulfite, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Pentylene glycol, Sodium chloride, Sodium benzoate, Xanthan gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
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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.
| TulaClear UpYOUR PRODUCT | Honest BeautyIn The Clear Acne Serum | CeraVeAcne Control Gel | Urban Skin RxClear Even Tone Clarifying Glycolic Pads | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 72% | 69% | 68% |
| Price | $38.00 | — | $14.83−$23.17 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 15 | 5 of 15 | 5 of 15 |
| Key difference | — | — | Glycolic Acid | Glycolic Acid |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | High |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Atache Postbiotic Salicylic Acid SerumThe Purest Solutions Intensive Hydration Serum Hyaluronic Acid %2 + B5
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 19 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 4A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
- 5
- 6
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