Formula · 7.4

Brand · 7.9

SOME BY MI · toner with acids and niacinamide · South Korea

SOME BY MI AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner

SOME BY MI AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
7.4

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence0.7Actives with strong evidence: 1 of 6
  • Active concentration1.0Declared concentration of salicylic acid (bha), lactobionic acid (pha); the rest — by position in the list
  • Completeness for the purpose0.5For “acne and blackheads” — 48 %; without a retinoid — the main tool against new plugs; without benzoyl peroxide — the best-proven agent against acne bacteria; could be added without conflict: retinoid, benzoyl peroxide; below threshold: salicylic acid (bha), niacinamide (vitamin b3); a broad formula across 3 purposes
  • Tolerance0.9Debatable ingredient groups: menthol
  • adults
  • oily skin
  • acne-prone
  • dry skin
  • children
  • atopic skin
  • pregnancysalicylates — ask a doctor
  • sensitive skinat 10 % flushing is possible
  • rosaceaask a dermatologist
  • babiesnot applied to a baby face or near the nose
Free from:
  • alcohol (alcohol denat) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “denatured alcohol” group — evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores
  • 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
  • fragrance · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “fragrance and its allergens” group — 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
  • 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; hydration — days; smoothness — 2–4 weeks; soothing and less tightness — within days; wrinkles — 8 weeks, a modest effect; hydration — immediately; lasting effect — 2–4 weeks
What is normal: mild flushing in the first days at high concentration; mild dryness and flaking in the first weeks; mild tingling in the first days; nothing special — well tolerated

Ingredients — 26 components · 6 work

What works: 6 of 26 ingredients: niacinamide, salicylic acid, lactobionic acid and 3 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, tolerance

What lowers the score: actives and evidence: actives with strong evidence: 1 of 6; completeness for the purpose: for “acne and blackheads” — 48 %

Questions: menthol: peppermint oil — gives a cooling sensation and mild numbing. It irritates sensitive skin and mucous membranes, and it worsens redness in rosacea.

  • Niacinamide (vitamin B3) + Salicylic acid (BHA) — reinforce each otherniacinamide cuts sebum and redness, the BHA clears pores — an acne classic
  • Purified 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
  • Butylene Glycol base: coating, fillers · a humectant and solvent: it makes the texture lighter and helps actives spread. Better tolerated than propylene glycol.
  • Dipropylene Glycol base: coating, fillers · humectants and solvents — hold water and help actives dissolve
  • Glycerin base: coating, fillers · a humectant: coats the tablet, holds moisture in creams and shampoos; does not clog pores
  • Niacinamide works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: niacinamide
  • Tea Tree Leaf 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
  • Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate base: coating, fillers · keeps the water and oil parts from separating
  • Papaya Fruit Extract base: coating, fillers · plant and algae extracts and floral waters: flavouring and marketing components — at these shares there is no proven effect on the skin; rare reactions in people allergic to that particular plant
  • Esculenta Lentinus Seed Extract base: coating, fillers · plant and algae extracts and floral waters: flavouring and marketing components — at these shares there is no proven effect on the skin; rare reactions in people allergic to that particular plant
  • Witch Hazel Extract base: coating, fillers · plant and algae extracts and floral waters: flavouring and marketing components — at these shares there is no proven effect on the skin; rare reactions in people allergic to that particular plant
  • Lotus Flower Extract base: coating, fillers · plant and algae extracts and floral waters: flavouring and marketing components — at these shares there is no proven effect on the skin; rare reactions in people allergic to that particular plant
  • Swiftlet Nest Extract base: coating, fillers · plant and algae extracts and floral waters: flavouring and marketing components — at these shares there is no proven effect on the skin; rare reactions in people allergic to that particular plant
  • Sodium Hyaluronate works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: sodium hyaluronate
  • Fructan base: coating, fillers · plant sugars: they hold water and feed skin bacteria; in a product this is the humectant part of the base
  • Allantoin works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: allantoin
  • Adenosine works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: adenosine
  • Hydroxyethyl Urea base: coating, fillers · amino acids, lipids and sugars akin to the skin’s own components — support for its barrier
  • Xylitol base: coating, fillers · draws water in and holds it in the upper layer of the skin
  • Salicylic Acid (100 ppm works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: salicylic acid
  • Lactobionic Acid (100 ppm works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: lactobionic acid (PHA)
  • Citric Acid (500 ppm base: coating, fillers · acidity regulator
  • Sodium Citrate base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • 1,2-Hexanediol base: coating, fillers · a solvent and humectant with antimicrobial action: it helps the product keep without classic preservatives.
  • Benzyl Glycol base: coating, fillers · protect the product from bacteria and mould; used within the EU-permitted concentrations
  • Ethylhexylglycerin base: coating, fillers · a preservative booster and skin-conditioning ingredient: it barely preserves on its own but helps phenoxyethanol work and lowers the amount needed.
  • Raspberry Ketone base: coating, fillers · softens the skin and helps it hold water — the most common role in creams
  • Peppermint Oil questions · gives a cooling sensation and mild numbing. It irritates sensitive skin and mucous membranes, and it worsens redness in rosacea.

SOME BY MI AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner is a product whose active ingredient is niacinamide (vitamin b3) + salicylic acid (bha) + lactobionic acid (pha) + allantoin. 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). The effect is moderately supported: salicylic acid (bha), lactobionic acid (pha), allantoin, hyaluronic acid. There is little evidence of effect: adenosine. The formula has 26 ingredients, 6 of which do the work; the rest is the formula base. Worth noting: Peppermint Oil (gives a cooling sensation and mild numbing. It irritates sensitive skin and mucous membranes, and it worsens redness in rosacea.). 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 alcohol (alcohol denat), sulfates (SLS/SLES), formaldehyde releasers, isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI), fragrance, parabens, mineral oils and petrolatum, soap, silicones, gelatin in the coating, toning dyes, tar. Suitable for: adults, oily skin, acne-prone, dry skin, children, atopic skin. pregnancy, sensitive skin, rosacea, babies — ask a doctor. Use: morning and evening, on clean skin. When to expect an effect: tone, pores — 4–8 weeks; sebum — 2–4. Label score — 7.4 out of 10 (actives with strong evidence: 1 of 6; declared concentration of salicylic acid (bha), lactobionic acid (pha); the rest — by position in the list; for “acne and blackheads” — 48 %; without a retinoid — the main tool against new plugs; without benzoyl peroxide — the best-proven agent against acne bacteria; could be added without conflict: retinoid, benzoyl peroxide; below threshold: salicylic acid (bha), niacinamide (vitamin b3); a broad formula across 3 purposes; debatable ingredient groups: menthol).

Who it does not suit

When to stop: persistent burning — stop; burning, persistent redness — stop; itching, rash — stop; tightness in dry air — apply under a cream

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.

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