
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Acne-fighting anti-aging serum
FEATURES
Helps clear and treat acne, visibly improves lines, hydrates skin
BEST FOR
oily
CHECKS
Fragrance-free, Paraben-free, Phthalate-free
Who Is It For?
All Ages With Acne-prone SkinWhat Does It Help With?
Acne Breakouts Fine Lines And WrinklesBudget
Mid-range ($30-$75)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What Clinique Says
Product Description:
Acne-fighting anti-aging serum helps clear and treat acne, and visibly improve lines.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
Water\Aqua\Eau, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Methyl Trimethicone, Polysorbate 20, Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Lauryl Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Polysilicone-11, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Flower Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis (St. Paul'S Wort) Extract, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Extract, Plankton Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Glucosamine, Caffeine, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Cholesterol, Caprylyl Glycol, Micrococcus Lysate, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Lecithin, Whey Protein\Lactis Protein\Proteine Du Petit-Lait, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Peg-8, Sodium Hydroxide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, Disodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol
Key Ingredients
Salicylic acid, Whey protein
Ingredients Details
Bis-peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
Common Name(s): Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane,cosmetic active,functional ingredient
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Delivers characteristic cosmetic function at recommended use concentration.
Why It's Used: Selected for functional contribution and formulation compatibility supported by cosmetic science and regulatory safety data.
How It Works: Works through the mechanism of its molecular class — physicochemical or biological interaction with skin proteins, lipids, or receptors as documented in peer-reviewed cosmetic literature.
Typically Found In: Skin care formulations
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient – cosmetic active
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%–10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1–2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane has an established safety and efficacy profile within the cosmetic regulatory framework at standard use concentrations.
Last Verified: Cosing database,bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl si technical literature
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Butylene Glycol
Common Name(s): 1,3-butanediol,bg,1,3-butylene glycol
CAS Number: 107-88-0
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides humectant hydration and active ingredient solubilization with excellent skin feel.
Why It's Used: Preferred glycol humectant in premium and k-beauty formulations for superior skin feel vs propylene glycol with equivalent functionality.
How It Works: Two hydroxyl groups at 1,3-positions provide water binding and solvent activity. better tolerated than propylene glycol with minimal sensitization risk. 4-carbon backbone provides slightly greater hydrophobic character enabling dissolution of less polar actives vs pg.
Typically Found In: Toners,essences,serums,k-beauty formulas
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient – glycol humectant
Secondary Functions: Tewl reduction,skin plumping
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%–10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes – synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Synthetic or naturally derived. excellent aqueous solubility.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; suitable for all skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Ceramides,emollients,occlusives,glycerin,hyaluronic acid
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
K-beauty's preference for butylene glycol over propylene glycol is driven by two factors: bg's superior skin feel (less tacky than pg's higher viscosity) and its lower sensitization potential (1,3-bg has better spatial distribution of hydroxyl groups that reduces protein interaction vs pg's 1,2-position oh groups).
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Dimethicone
Common Name(s): Pdms,polydimethylsiloxane,silicone fluid
CAS Number: 9006-65-9
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides silicone-characteristic silky feel and skin protection with adjustable viscosity.
Why It's Used: The benchmark cosmetic silicone – sets the gold standard for silky application feel, spreadability, and skin protection in virtually all skin care categories.
How It Works: Polydimethylsiloxane chain flexibility provides extremely low surface tension and high spreadability. inert si-o backbone provides chemical stability and excellent skin tolerance. occlusive film formation reduces tewl. higher viscosity grades provide more intense conditioning.
Typically Found In: Moisturizers,foundations,primers,sunscreens – nearly universal
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient – polydimethylsiloxane
Secondary Functions: Barrier sealing,softening
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%–30%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes – synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived, synthetic or animal-derived. verify source.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 1/5 – low; formulation-dependent
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Humectants,ceramides,actives as carrier
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Dimethicone's exceptional silky feel arises from its very low intermolecular attractive forces (weak van der waals forces due to non-polar methyl groups) that allow silicone chains to slide freely over skin. the coefficient of kinetic friction for pdms against skin (~0.04) is among the lowest of any cosmetic material – explaining why even small amounts transform product feel.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Glycerin
Common Name(s): Glycerol,glycerine,1,2,3-propanetriol
CAS Number: 56-81-5
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Glycerin pulls water from the environment and deeper skin layers into the outer skin layer (epidermis), boosting moisture levels and keeping skin soft, smooth, and plump.
Why It's Used: It is used in virtually every moisturizer, serum, and cleanser because it is highly effective at hydrating skin, is well-tolerated by all skin types, and enhances the texture and spreadability of formulations.
How It Works: As a humectant, glycerin forms hydrogen bonds with water molecules, trapping them in the skin. it also reinforces the skin barrier by integrating into lipid structures between skin cells.
Typically Found In: Moisturizers,serums,cleansers,toners,sheet masks,sunscreens,body lotions,shampoos,conditioners
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Humectant
Secondary Functions: Skin barrier support,emollient,solvent
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%–30% (typical: 3–10%)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes – plant-derived (coconut, soy, palm) or synthetic
Halal Status: Yes – when plant-derived or synthetic; verify source with supplier
Source Notes: Derived from plant oils via hydrolysis or saponification; synthetic versions also available. palm-derived glycerin carries sustainability concerns.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low; non-irritating at all standard concentrations
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Extremely rare allergic reactions; generally safe for all skin types including sensitive and baby skin
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Widely recognized as safe. ewg hazard score: 1. no significant concerns for irritation, sensitization, or toxicity at typical concentrations (up to 50%).
Works Well With: Hyaluronic acid,ceramides,niacinamide,panthenol,urea,peptides,retinol,ahas/bhas
Avoid Combining With: No known incompatibilities at standard concentrations
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Glycerin is an endogenous skin component found naturally in the stratum corneum. aquaporin-3 channels in keratinocytes facilitate glycerin transport, making it integral to natural skin hydration pathways.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,ewg skin deep,inci decoder
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12