Blemish Clearing Serum
What it's good for
Key actives from our research database. Click any to read the full evidence dossier.
A gentle smoother and skin-soother. Reduces flakiness and helps the surface look more even.
Good for: Anti-inflammatory, Hydrating
Calms irritation and adds light hydration. The classic for sunburned or reactive skin.
Good for: Anti-inflammatory, Hydrating
The classic "tea-bag-on-puffy-eyes" botanical. Calms angry skin via well-studied anti-inflammatory pathways, gently. Good for reactive or rosacea-prone complexions.
Good for: Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant
A fruit-derived AHA that exfoliates and antioxidizes. It shares the same basic mechanism as glycolic and lactic acid but is weaker gram-for-gram; in practice you'll see it doing dual duty (a little exfoliation plus pH stabilisation) in multi-acid toners and serums. When it appears low on an ingredient list, it's adjusting pH; higher up, it's contributing real exfoliation.
Good for: Exfoliating, Antioxidant
A naturally-occurring antioxidant your skin loses as you age. Topical CoQ10 restores some of what time depletes, supporting energy production in skin cells and softening wrinkle depth.
Good for: Antioxidant, Anti-aging
A workhorse hydrator that pulls water into your skin. In nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.
Good for: Hydrating
Pro-vitamin B5. Deeply hydrates and helps repair the skin barrier, calming dry or compromised skin.
Good for: Hydrating, Barrier repair
Goes into your pores and dissolves the oil and dead skin clogging them. Best for blackheads, whiteheads, and oily, acne-prone skin.
Good for: Anti-acne, Exfoliating
Brightens dull skin and helps fade dark spots. Also defends against everyday UV and pollution damage when worn under sunscreen.
Good for: Brightening, Antioxidant
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
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.
A gentle smoother and skin-soother. Reduces flakiness and helps the surface look more even.
Xu Z et al., Efficacy and Safety of Topical Compound Heparin Sodium Allantoin Gel for the Treatment of Rosacea, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2025;24(4):e70129 — RCT (n=82, 12 weeks): allantoin gel improved erythema and alleviated itching/burning vs traditional therapy
Tan C et al., The combination of allantoin, bisabolol, D-panthenol and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate mitigates UVB-induced PGE2 synthesis by keratinocytes, International Journal of Cosmetic Science 2024;46(5):691-701 — in vitro: allantoin combination reduced UVB-induced PGE2, IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, TNFα
Saucedo-Acuna RA et al. (Mexico), Characterization and In Vivo Assay of Allantoin-Enriched Pectin Hydrogel for the Treatment of Skin Wounds, International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2023;24(8):7377 — allantoin-pectin hydrogel reduced wound healing time by ~71% with complete closure at day 15 in rat model
Calms irritation and adds light hydration. The classic for sunburned or reactive skin.
Huang YN et al., Effects of Aloe vera on Burn Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials, Journal of Burn Care & Research 2024;45(6):1536-1545 — topical aloe vera reduced burn wound-healing time
Tungkasamit T et al., Reduction in severity of radiation-induced dermatitis in head and neck cancer patients treated with topical aloe vera gel: A randomized multicenter double-blind placebo-controlled trial, European Journal of Oncology Nursing 2022;59:102164 — aloe vera reduced severity of moderate-to-severe radiation dermatitis
Sharma S et al., Second-Degree Burns and Aloe Vera: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review, Advances in Skin & Wound Care 2022;35(11):1-9 — topical aloe vera shortened time to healing for second-degree burns
The classic "tea-bag-on-puffy-eyes" botanical. Calms angry skin via well-studied anti-inflammatory pathways, gently. Good for reactive or rosacea-prone complexions.
Essential Oil of Matricaria chamomilla Alleviates Psoriatic-Like Skin Inflammation by Inhibiting PI3K/Akt/mTOR and p38MAPK Signaling Pathway, Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology 2024
Comparative analysis of whole plant, flower and root extracts of Chamomilla recutita L. (Germany), Frontiers in Immunology 2024
Xu J et al., Therapeutic effects of chamomile volatile oil nanoemulsion/Bletilla striata polysaccharides gels on atopic dermatitis, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 2024 — topical chamomile volatile oil nanoemulsion (19.07 nm) reduced skin damage, epidermal thickness, and mast cell infiltration in atopic dermatitis mice; rebalanced Th1/Th2
+−7 more ingredients
A fruit-derived AHA that exfoliates and antioxidizes. It shares the same basic mechanism as glycolic and lactic acid but is weaker gram-for-gram; in practice you'll see it doing dual duty (a little exfoliation plus pH stabilisation) in multi-acid toners and serums. When it appears low on an ingredient list, it's adjusting pH; higher up, it's contributing real exfoliation.
Tang SC, Yang JH. Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin. Molecules. 2018;23(4):863.
Yamamoto Y, Uede K, Yonei N, Kishioka A, Ohtani T, Furukawa F. Effects of alpha-hydroxy acids on the human skin of Japanese subjects: the rationale for chemical peeling. Journal of Dermatology. 2006 Jan;33(1):16-22. — Clinical-mechanistic study in Japanese subjects demonstrating AHA (including citric acid class) keratolytic and epidermal renewal effects as rationale for chemical peeling.
Bernstein EF, Underhill CB, Lakkakorpi J, et al. Citric acid increases viable epidermal thickness and glycosaminoglycan content of sun-damaged skin. Dermatologic Surgery. 1997 Aug;23(8):689-694. — Mechanistic study showing topical citric acid increased viable epidermal thickness and dermal glycosaminoglycans in sun-damaged skin, similar to glycolic acid and retinoic acid.
A naturally-occurring antioxidant your skin loses as you age. Topical CoQ10 restores some of what time depletes, supporting energy production in skin cells and softening wrinkle depth.
Li S et al., Ginsenoside Nanoliposomes Deliver Ergothioneine and Coenzyme Q10 to Address Skin Aging via Mitochondrial Mechanisms, Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 2026
Lain ET, Agrawal N, Ruvolo E, Weise JM, Callender VD, The Role of Coenzyme Q10 in Skin Aging and Opportunities for Topical Intervention: A Review, Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology 2024;17(8):42-47
Ayunin Q, Miatmoko A, Soeratri W, Erawati T, Susanto J, Legowo D, Improving the anti-ageing activity of coenzyme Q10 through protransfersome-loaded emulgel, Scientific Reports 2022;12(1):906 — topical CoQ10 protransfersomal emulgel increased collagen density and fibroblast count in UV-aged mouse skin
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
Pro-vitamin B5. Deeply hydrates and helps repair the skin barrier, calming dry or compromised skin.
Gao Y et al., Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of a Panthenol-Enriched Mask for Skin Barrier Recovery After Facial Laser Treatment, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2025;24(7):e70223 — double-blind RCT (n=60): panthenol mask decreased erythema, enhanced hydration, repaired barrier vs saline
Cho YS et al., Use of Dexpanthenol for Atopic Dermatitis-Benefits and Recommendations Based on Current Evidence, Journal of Clinical Medicine 2022;11(14):3943 — Korean-authored review; dexpanthenol improves barrier and reduces severity in mild-to-moderate AD
Heise R et al., Accelerated wound healing with a dexpanthenol-containing ointment after fractional ablative CO2 laser resurfacing of photo-damaged skin in a randomized prospective clinical trial, Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology 2019;38(3):274-278 — RCT: dexpanthenol significantly faster wound closure vs petroleum jelly post-laser
Goes into your pores and dissolves the oil and dead skin clogging them. Best for blackheads, whiteheads, and oily, acne-prone skin.
Liu Y et al., Clinical Efficacy of a Salicylic Acid-Containing Gel on Acne Management and Skin Barrier Function: A 21-Day Prospective Study, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2025;24(7):e70353 — salicylic acid gel reduced acne lesions, regulated sebum, improved hydration and barrier function
Ye R et al., 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel vs. adapalene gel in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: multicenter, randomized, evaluator-blind, parallel-controlled trial, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2024;23(6):2125-2134 — 2% SSA hydrogel was equally effective as adapalene gel for mild-to-moderate acne
Brumley C et al. Allergic contact dermatitis to salicylic acid: A case series of relevant sensitization. Contact Dermatitis. 2024;91(2):133-138. doi:10.1111/cod.14573 — Case series of 489 patch-tested patients (2020-2024): 21 positive reactions to salicylic acid. Documents that ACD to SA is likely underreported; testing at 5% concentration feasible.
Brightens dull skin and helps fade dark spots. Also defends against everyday UV and pollution damage when worn under sunscreen.
Krutmann J et al. PINGing Sunshine: A Review of the Evidence for Adding Non-Filtering Photoprotective Ingredients to Sunscreens. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2025;41(6). — Review of Photoprotective INGredients (PINGs); L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) identified as a top-ranked PING demonstrating efficacy across multiple photodamage endpoints.
Pullar JM et al., The roles of vitamin C in skin health, Nutrients 2017;9(8):866 — concluded topical efficacy "poorly understood"; supports dietary vitamin C
Lee JH et al., Effects of VitabridC12 on Skin Inflammation, Annals of Dermatology 2017
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)
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.
Layering conflicts
Ingredients in this product that can react with common actives. Avoid stacking unless noted.
- Retinolhigh
Retinol + salicylic acid can over-exfoliate and damage the barrier. Alternate nights.
- Tretinoinhigh
Tretinoin + salicylic acid — major irritation risk. Strict separation required.
- Glycolic Acidmedium
AHA + BHA stacking risks over-exfoliation. Use a pre-formulated AHA/BHA product or alternate days.
- Benzoyl Peroxidemedium
Benzoyl peroxide breaks down vitamin C, making both less effective. Use one in the morning and the other at night.
Similar comparisons
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