Formula · 7.5

Brand · 7.1

Garnier · salicylic acid and niacinamide · France

Garnier Skin Naturals Salicylic Anti-Blemish Serum

Garnier Skin Naturals Salicylic Anti-Blemish Serum
7.5

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence0.7Actives with strong evidence: 2 of 4
  • Active concentration1.0After the 1 % line: salicylic acid (bha), lactic acid — the concentration is likely token
  • Completeness for the purpose0.6For “acne and blackheads” — 61 %; without a retinoid — the main tool against new plugs; without benzoyl peroxide — the best-proven agent against acne bacteria; could be added without conflict: benzoyl peroxide; below threshold: salicylic acid (bha), niacinamide (vitamin b3); a narrow formula for one purpose
  • Tolerance0.8Debatable ingredient groups: denatured alcohol, fragrance and its allergens (skin test positive in 13 of 100 tested)
  • adults
  • oily skin
  • acne-prone
  • pregnancysalicylates — ask a doctor
  • sensitive skinat 10 % flushing is possible
  • dry skinmay dry
  • before sunSPF is a must in the daytime
  • atopic skinfragrance is a common trigger
Free from:
  • sulfates (SLS/SLES) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “ammonium laureth sulfate (ALES), ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), sodium coco-sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium myreth sulfate, TEA-lauryl sulfate” group — a cleansing surfactant from the sulfate family but with an ethoxylated chain: it cleanses more gently than lauryl sulfate. Still not for those looking for a sulfate-free product.
  • formaldehyde releasers · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “formaldehyde releasers” group — preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde; allowed at low levels but a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “isothiazolinone preservatives (MIT/MCI)” group — preservatives; banned in EU leave-on products and limited in rinse-off (0.0015%) — a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • parabens · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “parabens” group — preservatives; methyl- and ethylparaben are recognised as safe at permitted levels, propyl- and butyl- are limited by the EU to 0.14 %; a frequent buyer question rather than proven harm
  • mineral oils and petrolatum · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “petrolatum and mineral oils” group — purified cosmetic-grade petroleum products: form a protective barrier film; safety is established, a preference question; 0–2 of 5 (depends on the raw-material source), cosmetic white oil per DiNardo (2005) is non-comedogenic
  • soap · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “potassium soap (potassium cocoate), plant soap base (sodium palmate, sodium cocoate), tallow soap base (sodium tallowate)” group — liquid soap: fatty acids boiled with alkali. It cleanses well, but its acidity is around 9-10 against 5 for skin, which is why it often leaves tightness. The product is rinsed off, so the question is tolerance.
  • silicones · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “silicones” group — form a smooth film and shine; inert and not absorbed — a preference question, not a safety one
  • gelatin in the coating · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “vegetarian coating” group — a plant-based tablet coating instead of gelatin; it keeps moisture out and makes swallowing easier
  • toning dyes · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “violet toning dyes” group — direct dyes that settle on the hair surface and cancel the yellow cast of blonde; they wash out in 1–3 washes and leave a lilac tint if left too long; HC Blue 2 and Disperse Violet 1 are known contact allergens of hair dyes
  • tar · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “wood (birch) tar” group — a traditional remedy for dandruff and itching with a sharp smell; it reduces flaking, but can irritate a sensitive scalp and dries the hair
What for: Acne products work on four fronts: dissolve plugs (acids), calm inflammation (azelaic acid, niacinamide, zinc), kill bacteria (benzoyl peroxide, tea tree) and prevent new plugs (a retinoid). One active per front is enough; two or three different fronts work noticeably better.
When:
  • leave-on
  • morning
  • evening
morning and evening, on clean skin
When to expect an effect: tone, pores — 4–8 weeks; sebum — 2–4; pores, blackheads — 4–8 weeks; smoothness — 2–4 weeks; redness — days
What is normal: mild flushing in the first days at high concentration; mild dryness and flaking in the first weeks; mild tingling

Ingredients — 14 components · 4 work

What works: 4 of 14 ingredients: niacinamide, salicylic acid, lactic acid and 1 more. Acne products work on four fronts: dissolve plugs (acids), calm inflammation (azelaic acid, niacinamide, zinc), kill bacteria (benzoyl peroxide, tea tree) and prevent new plugs (a retinoid). One active per front is enough; two or three different fronts work noticeably better.

Strengths: active concentration

What lowers the score: actives and evidence: actives with strong evidence: 2 of 4; completeness for the purpose: for “acne and blackheads” — 61 %; tolerance: debatable ingredient groups: denatured alcohol, fragrance and its allergens

Questions: denatured alcohol — evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores; fragrance and its allergens: fragrance — the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works

  • Niacinamide (vitamin B3) + Salicylic acid (BHA) — reinforce each otherniacinamide cuts sebum and redness, the BHA clears pores — an acne classic
  • Aqua/Water base: coating, fillers · water — the solvent and base; listed first because there is more of it than anything else; in supplements — part of the capsule shell
  • Alcohol Denat questions · evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores
  • Niacinamide works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: niacinamide
  • Glycerin base: coating, fillers · a humectant: coats the tablet, holds moisture in creams and shampoos; does not clog pores
  • Propanediol base: coating, fillers · a humectant and solvent from corn sugar: it holds water and helps actives dissolve. A gentler replacement for propylene glycol.
  • Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: Centella extract
  • PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil base: coating, fillers · a thick oil, gives lipsticks gloss and balms body; the hydrogenated form is also 1 of 5; does not clog pores
  • Sodium Hydroxide base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • Hydroxyacetophenone base: coating, fillers · protect the product from bacteria and mould; used within the EU-permitted concentrations
  • Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid base: coating, fillers · keeps the acidity of the product within the right range
  • Hydroxypropyl Guar base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate
  • Lactic Acid works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: AHA acid
  • Phytic Acid base: coating, fillers · binds traces of metal from water that would spoil the product
  • Salicylic Acid works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: salicylic acid
  • Parfum/Fragrance questions · the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works

Garnier Skin Naturals Salicylic Anti-Blemish Serum is a product whose active ingredient is niacinamide (vitamin b3) + salicylic acid (bha) + lactic acid + madecassoside (centella). The concentration is not declared, but the active sits above the 1 % line in the list — a working share is likely. The effect is supported by studies: niacinamide (vitamin b3), lactic acid. The effect is moderately supported: salicylic acid (bha). There is little evidence of effect: madecassoside (centella). The formula has 14 ingredients, 4 of which do the work; the rest is the formula base. Worth noting: Alcohol Denat (evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores); Parfum/Fragrance (the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works). Well-matched pairs in the formula: niacinamide (vitamin b3) + salicylic acid (bha). Acne products work on four fronts: dissolve plugs (acids), calm inflammation (azelaic acid, niacinamide, zinc), kill bacteria (benzoyl peroxide, tea tree) and prevent new plugs (a retinoid). One active per front is enough; two or three different fronts work noticeably better. By the list, no sulfates (SLS/SLES), formaldehyde releasers, isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI), parabens, mineral oils and petrolatum, soap, silicones, gelatin in the coating, toning dyes, tar. Suitable for: adults, oily skin, acne-prone. pregnancy, sensitive skin, dry skin, before sun, atopic skin — ask a doctor. rosacea, eczema, children, fragrance allergy — not without a doctor. Use: morning and evening, on clean skin. When to expect an effect: tone, pores — 4–8 weeks; sebum — 2–4. Label score — 7.5 out of 10 (actives with strong evidence: 2 of 4; after the 1 % line: salicylic acid (bha), lactic acid — the concentration is likely token; for “acne and blackheads” — 61 %; without a retinoid — the main tool against new plugs; without benzoyl peroxide — the best-proven agent against acne bacteria; could be added without conflict: benzoyl peroxide; below threshold: salicylic acid (bha), niacinamide (vitamin b3); a narrow formula for one purpose; debatable ingredient groups: denatured alcohol, fragrance and its allergens (skin test positive in 13 of 100 tested)). The formula contains alcohol and salicylic acid: dry or irritated skin may sting. Sun protection is needed during the day after use.

Who it does not suit

  • rosacea, eczemanot on inflamed skin
  • childrenonly if prescribed
  • fragrance allergyrisk of reaction

When to stop: persistent burning — stop; burning, persistent redness — stop

Per the maker's leaflet: The formula contains alcohol and salicylic acid: dry or irritated skin may sting. Sun protection is needed during the day after use.

Is this product right for your skin?

The score describes the formula, not your skin: the same product dries one person and saves another. Describe your skin type, reactions and goals, attach a photo of the ingredient list or the product — we will go through every ingredient and say whether it suits you, what to pair it with and what to avoid.

Cosmetic ingredient checkDecode my tests

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