Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Skin science article

IMAGE skincare Clear Cell Medicated Acne Lotion Versus Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion

IMAGE skincare Clear Cell Medicated Acne Lotion Versus Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion This acne moisturizer is formulated around Benzoyl Peroxide and Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil to clear breakouts and balance excess oil. This acne toner is formu

IMAGE skincare Clear Cell Medicated Acne Lotion Versus Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion

This acne moisturizer is formulated around Benzoyl Peroxide and Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil to clear breakouts and balance excess oil.

This acne toner is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Nylon-12 to clear breakouts and balance excess oil.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Benzoyl Peroxide 5%

Water

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Oligopeptide-10

Cetearyl Olivate

Syringa Vulgaris Extract

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract

Oryza Sativa Bran Extract

Sorbitan Olivate

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract

Stearic Acid

Sucrose Cocoate

Tocopheryl Acetate

Maltodextrin

Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil

Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil

Disodium EDTA

Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil

Arnica Montana Flower Extract

Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract

Boswellia Serrata Extract

Honey Extract

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Potassium Sorbate

Sodium Benzoate

Butylene Glycol

Phenoxyethanol

Caprylyl Glycol

Hexylene Glycol

Benzoyl Peroxide 5%, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Oligopeptide-10, Cetearyl Olivate, Syringa Vulgaris Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Sorbitan Olivate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Stearic Acid, Sucrose Cocoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Maltodextrin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Disodium EDTA, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Honey Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol

Salicylic Acid 2%

Alcohol Denat.

Nylon-12

Hamamelis Virginiana Water

Laminaria Saccharina Extract

Caffeine

Sucrose

Glycerin

Acetyl Glucosamine

Sorbitol

Sea Whip Extract

CI 77120

10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid

Silica

Benzalkonium Chloride

Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Alcohol Denat., Nylon-12, Butylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Caffeine, Sucrose, Glycerin, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sorbitol, Sea Whip Extract, CI 77120, 10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Benzalkonium Chloride

Reviews

Be the first to review

Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.

Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.

This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:

On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.

One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).

Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.

You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.

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!

Similar Comparisons

The reference edit

Ingredients, questions
& further reading.

Connected source records selected through this article’s public topic index.

01

Formula cabinet

Ingredients & structured notes

Ingredient index

Ingredients Explained

  1. 01Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
  2. 02In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
  3. 03Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
  4. 04This is a synthetic polymer used to thicken formulas, improve texture, and enhance spreadability.
  5. 05Due to its large molecule size, this ingredient does not penetrate the skin and is considered well-tolerated.
  6. 06Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate is a synthetic emollient and "skin-feel" ingredient that spreads well and leaves a non-sticky finish with high gloss.
  7. 07In makeup, it also doubles as a pigment-wetting agent for better color payoff.
  8. 08It's a well-vetted ingredient for safety and does not penetrate into skin due to its large molecule size.
  9. 09Because it's a long-chain fatty acid ester, this ingredient may not be fungal acne or Malassezia safe.
  10. 10Ethylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
  11. 11In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
  12. 12One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
  13. 13For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
  14. 14This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
  15. 15We don't have a description for PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer yet.
  16. 16This ingredient is a high-molecular weight synthetic polymer. It is used to modify the viscosity of a formula, improve slip, and create a more "cushiony" texture.
  17. 17Due to its large molecular size, this ingredient is not absorbed into the skin.
  18. 18Aroma refers to an ingredient, or mixture of ingredients, that impart or mask a flavor.
  19. 19The name is slightly confusing. This is because INCI associates aroma with flavor instead of smell.
  20. 20Here is the official definition from the The International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook:
Source · skinsort.com
02

Product index

Related product references

03

Comparison edit

Read side by side