Retinal 0.2% Emulsion vs EFFACLAR SALICYLIC ACID ACNE TREATMENT SERUM
10%Match
Only 10% overlap — quite different formulas
Ingredient Breakdown
Only in Retinal 0.2% (27)
4-t-butylcyclohexanol
Aqua (Water)
C: 0/5I: 0/5other
ascorbyl-palmitate
bisabolol
brassica-campestris-sterols
Butylene Glycol
C: 1/5I: 1/5humectant
caesalpinia-spinosa-gum
cetylhydroxyproline-palmitamide
chlorphenesin
coco-caprylate-caprate
ergothioneine
Ethylhexylglycerin
C: 0/5I: 1/5preservative
hexyldecanol
hydroxyapatite
hydroxyethyl-acrylate-sodium-acryloyldimethyl-taurate-copolymer
hydroxyphenyl-propamidobenzoic-acid
isoceteth-20
isohexadecane
Lactic Acid
C: 0/5I: 2/5aha
Phenoxyethanol
C: 0/5I: 2/5preservative
polyacrylate-crosspolymer-6
polysorbate-60
Retinal (Retinaldehyde)
C: 0/5I: 2/5retinoid
Sodium Lactate
C: 0/5I: 0/5humectant
Stearic Acid
C: 2/5I: 0/5fatty acid
Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
C: 2/5I: 1/5antioxidant
zingiber-officinale-root-extract
Shared (5)
biosaccharide-gum-1
maltodextrin
Pentylene Glycol
C: 0/5I: 1/5humectant
Propanediol
C: 0/5I: 0/5humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
C: 0/5I: 2/5other
Only in EFFACLAR SALICYLIC (16)
Alcohol Denat.
C: 0/5I: 3/5other
capryloyl-salicylic-acid
Citric Acid
C: 0/5I: 2/5aha
dimethyl-isosorbide
Fragrance (Parfum)
C: 0/5I: 4/5fragrance
Glycolic Acid
C: 0/5I: 3/5aha
hydroxyethylpiperazine-ethane-sulfonic-acid
Niacinamide
C: 0/5I: 1/5antioxidant
peg-30-glyceryl-cocoate
peg-40-hydrogenated-castor-oil
peg-60-hydrogenated-castor-oil
phytic-acid
polyquaternium-10
ppg-26-buteth-26
Salicylic Acid
C: 0/5I: 2/5bha
Water (Aqua)
C: 0/5I: 0/5other
When Used Together
CautionGlycolic Acid + Salicylic Acid
Using AHA and BHA together at high concentrations risks over-exfoliation and barrier damage.
Alternate use — AHA one day, BHA the next.
CautionLactic Acid + Salicylic Acid
[Class rule] Combining AHA and BHA increases exfoliation beyond what most skin can tolerate.
Use on alternate days or choose one.
SynergyNiacinamide + Salicylic Acid
Niacinamide reduces post-BHA redness while salicylic acid unclogs pores — excellent acne-fighting duo.