Dr. Organic Skin Clear Tea Tree 5 In 1 Treatment Gel Versus The INKEY List Succinic Acid Acne Treatment

Dr. Organic Skin Clear Tea Tree 5 In 1 Treatment Gel Versus The INKEY List Succinic Acid Acne Treatment

This acne treatment is formulated around Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and balance excess oil.

This acne treatment is formulated around Colloidal Sulfur and Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and refine the look of pores.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Alcohol Denat.

Water

Coco-Caprylate

Cetearyl Alcohol

Isopropyl Palmitate

Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract

Glycerin

Glyceryl Stearate

Salicylic Acid

Saccharum Officinarum Extract

Cetearyl Glucoside

Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract

Citrus Limon Fruit Extract

Acer Saccharum Extract

Citrus Limon Peel Oil

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil

Citrus Aurantifolia Oil

Salix Alba Bark Extract

Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil

Mentha Spicata Herb Oil

Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract

Citrus Paradisi Seed Extract

Echinacea Purpurea Extract

Dehydroxanthan Gum

Glyceryl Caprylate

Hydroxyacetophenone

Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate

Xanthan Gum

Citric Acid

Sodium Phytate

Sodium Hydroxide

Sodium Benzoate

Potassium Sorbate

Limonene

Citral

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Alcohol Denat., Water, Coco-Caprylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Salicylic Acid, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Cetearyl Glucoside, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Mentha Spicata Herb Oil, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Citrus Paradisi Seed Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Citral

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Glyceryl Stearate Se

Stearic Acid

Colloidal Sulfur

Succinic Acid

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Phenoxyethanol

Squalane

Benzyl Alcohol

Sodium Hyaluronate

Polysorbate 60

Ethylhexylglycerin

Dehydroacetic Acid

Malachite Extract

Sorbitan Isostearate

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

CI 75810

Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Colloidal Sulfur, Glycerin, Succinic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Salicylic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Squalane, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Dehydroacetic Acid, Malachite Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, CI 75810

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Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.

Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.

It plays several roles in a formula:

Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.

Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.

However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.

Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.

Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.

Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.

This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.

A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.

Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.

Topically, glycerin does several things at once:

Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.

Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.

This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.

Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.

Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.

Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.

Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.

It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.

While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.

If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!

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