Purifying Spot Gel
What it's good for
Key actives from our research database. Click any to read the full evidence dossier.
Calms redness, fades acne marks, and clears bumps, all without aggravating sensitive skin. Pregnancy-safe.
Good for: Anti-acne, Brightening, Anti-inflammatory
The "calm-down" molecule in many sensitive-skin formulas. Reduces redness and stinging without bleaching your barrier, and plays nicely on top of retinoids or exfoliating acids.
Good for: Anti-inflammatory
A workhorse hydrator that pulls water into your skin. In nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.
Good for: Hydrating
A workhorse antioxidant that defends your skin from daily oxidative damage. Pairs especially well with vitamin C, and it's in nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.
Good for: Antioxidant
The active in classic anti-dandruff and anti-Malassezia formulas. It is an FDA-approved OTC antidandruff active, and RCTs show it reduces flaking and the look of dandruff about as well as leading medicated washes. The reason your medicated body wash actually works.
Good for: Anti-inflammatory, Anti-acne
Evidence behind the ingredients
Real citations from our research database, one per tracked active in this product. Click any ingredient name to read its full evidence dossier.
Calms redness, fades acne marks, and clears bumps, all without aggravating sensitive skin. Pregnancy-safe.
Petrovici AG et al., A Comprehensive Review of Azelaic Acid Pharmacological Properties, Clinical Applications, and Innovative Topical Formulations, Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2025
Feng Y et al., Azelaic Acid: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications, Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology 2024;17:2359-2371 — antibacterial, anti-keratinizing, antimelanogenic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory; FDA-approved for papulopustular rosacea
King A et al., A systematic review to evaluate the efficacy of azelaic acid in the management of acne, rosacea, melasma and skin aging, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2023;22(10):2650-2662 — azelaic acid more effective than vehicle for rosacea, acne, and melasma; aging evidence limited
The "calm-down" molecule in many sensitive-skin formulas. Reduces redness and stinging without bleaching your barrier, and plays nicely on top of retinoids or exfoliating acids.
Wu Y et al., Exploring the mechanism of alpha-Bisabolol in the treatment of psoriasis based on network pharmacology and experimental validation, European Journal of Pharmacology 2025 — alpha-bisabolol suppressed inflammation in TNF-alpha-treated keratinocytes and psoriasis mice via PI3K/AKT and NF-kB pathways; reduced IL-6, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and skin lesions
Karami H et al. (Brazil), Development of a hydrogel containing bisabolol-loaded nanocapsules for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in a Balb/c mice model, International Journal of Pharmaceutics 2024
Tan C et al. (Brazil), The combination of allantoin, bisabolol, D-panthenol and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate mitigates UVB-induced PGE2 synthesis by keratinocytes, International Journal of Cosmetic Science 2024
A workhorse hydrator that pulls water into your skin. In nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.
Danby SG et al., Different types of emollient cream exhibit diverse physiological effects on the skin barrier in adults with atopic dermatitis, Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 2022;47(6):1154-1164 — glycerol+urea emollient delivered superior barrier-strengthening and irritant protection
Youssef R et al., Glycerol 85% efficacy on atopic skin and its microbiome: a randomized controlled trial, Journal of Dermatological Treatment 2021;32(7):730-736 — topical glycerol 85% RCT on atopic skin
Evans NJ et al., Human axillary skin condition is improved following incorporation of glycerol into the stratum corneum from an antiperspirant formulation, Archives of Dermatological Research 2017;309(9):739-748 — 4% glycerol penetrated axillary SC, reduced irritation, improved hydration
+−2 more ingredients
A workhorse antioxidant that defends your skin from daily oxidative damage. Pairs especially well with vitamin C, and it's in nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.
Neves JR et al., Efficacy of a topical serum containing L-ascorbic acid, neohesperidin, pycnogenol, tocopherol, and hyaluronic acid in relation to skin aging signs, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2022;21(10):4462-4469 — tocopherol-containing antioxidant serum reduced pollution-induced damage and improved aging signs
Warshaw EM et al., Patch Testing With Tocopherol and Tocopherol Acetate: The North American Contact Dermatitis Group Experience, 2001 to 2016, Dermatitis 2021;32(5):308-318 — 15-year NACDG data: positive patch-test reactions to tocopherol rare given widespread cosmetic use
Lin FH et al., Ferulic acid stabilizes a solution of vitamins C and E and doubles its photoprotection of skin, Journal of Investigative Dermatology 2005;125(4):826-832 — ferulic acid + vit C + vit E combo doubled photoprotection vs C+E alone (cross-listed; same paper cited for Ferulic Acid and Vit C)
The active in classic anti-dandruff and anti-Malassezia formulas. It is an FDA-approved OTC antidandruff active, and RCTs show it reduces flaking and the look of dandruff about as well as leading medicated washes. The reason your medicated body wash actually works.
Turner GA, Matheson JR, Li GZ, Fei XQ, Zhu D, Baines FL. Enhanced efficacy and sensory properties of an anti-dandruff shampoo containing zinc pyrithione and climbazole. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2013;35(1):78-83. — clinical evaluation of the zinc pyrithione dual-active shampoo demonstrated superior anti-dandruff efficacy that was retained during a regression phase.
Reeder NL, Xu J, Youngquist RS, Schwartz JR, Rust RC, Saunders CW. The antifungal mechanism of action of zinc pyrithione. Br J Dermatol. 2011;165 Suppl 2:9-12.
Berger RS, Fu JL, Smiles KA, Turner CB, Schnell BM, Werchowski KM, Lammers KM. The effects of minoxidil, 1% pyrithione zinc and a combination of both on hair density: a randomized controlled trial. Br J Dermatol. 2003;149(2):354-362. — 1% pyrithione zinc shampoo produced a modest, sustained improvement in hair count over the 26-week treatment period.
Sources: 10 clinical journals and regulatory databases across the US, EU, Korea, Japan, and China. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for the full list and what each outcome label means.
Similar comparisons
Not medical advice. GlowPal is educational. Patch-test new products and talk to a qualified healthcare professional before changing your routine, especially if you're pregnant, nursing, or have a diagnosed skin condition. See our terms.