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Gentle Retinol Salicylic Acne SerumA serum built around Niacinamide and Vitamin E, for barrier repair and smoothing.
A serum built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for barrier repair and hydration.
Brand price
USD 22.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 34.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
Every check both products could be assessed on comes out the same. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Centella asiatica (Cica)3
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.
Benefits
Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Methyl Gluceth-20, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair13
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Bakuchiol, Betaine, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cholesterol, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Tocopherol
Hydrating11
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Beta-Glucan, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Propanediol, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair12
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Betaine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Phytosphingosine, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation6
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Beta-Glucan, Madecassic Acid, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Redness Reducing6
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Niacinamide, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Concerns
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis9
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sorbitan Stearate
May Worsen Oily Skin2
May increase shine or excess oil.
May Trigger Acne3
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis8
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ceramide NP, Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Ingredients Side-by-side
1,2-Hexanediol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin (in both products)
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Fragrance, Perfuming, Occlusive, Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is the mixed triester of glycerin and caprylic and capric acids.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride →1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
We don't have a description for 1,2-Hexanediol yet.
Learn more about 1,2-Hexanediol →Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
Learn more about Butylene Glycol →Hydrogenated Lecithin
Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Lecithin →Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Viscosity Controlling
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer is a copolymer of ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate and vinylpyrrolidone monomers
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer →Tromethamine
Buffering, Fragrance
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about Tromethamine →Betaine
Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Humectant
Betaine is the zwitterion (inner salt) that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Betaine →Tocopherol
Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Occlusive
Tocopherol is vitamin E.
Learn more about Tocopherol →
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