Post Break Out Serum
Post Break Out Serum
Product Description
An oil-free, lightweight serum from Acnecide (the Purifide range) that targets post-breakout marks, redness and uneven texture. It pairs plant-based bakuchiol โ a gentle, retinol-like active โ with niacinamide and Pro-Vitamin B5 to smooth and brighten post-acne skin and protect the barrier, without clogging pores or adding shine.
โจ Texture & Feel
Plant-Based Bakuchiol
A gentle, retinol-like active that encourages skin renewal and fades post-breakout marks โ without the peeling, dryness or sun-sensitivity of true retinoids.
Barrier-First Formula
Niacinamide and Pro-Vitamin B5 reinforce the skin barrier, so it refines texture and tone without compromising the skin the way harsher acne actives can.
48-Hour Hydration
Humectants such as glycerin and panthenol keep skin balanced and soothed for up to two days per application, even though the base is fully oil-free.
Oil-Free & Non-Comedogenic
Built for spot- and acne-prone skin: no added facial oils, fragrance or silicones, so it absorbs fast and won't clog pores.
๐ก๏ธ Safety & Compatibility
Niacinamide and panthenol are widely considered safe, but bakuchiol lacks robust pregnancy safety data. Most dermatologists advise caution โ check with your doctor before use.
Not fungal-acne safe. It contains esters (coco-caprylate/caprate, caprylic/capric triglyceride) and lysolecithin, which can feed Malassezia yeast.
Fragrance-free, alcohol-free and free of common allergens. Bakuchiol is far gentler than retinol, so it suits most reactive skin โ patch test first to be sure.
Plays well with most routines. Bakuchiol can even be paired with retinol or vitamin C. Introduce alongside strong AHA/BHA exfoliants gradually.
Unlike retinoids, bakuchiol doesn't increase photosensitivity, so it can be used both morning and night. Daily broad-spectrum SPF is still essential.
Free from oxybenzone/octinoxate UV filters and animal-derived ingredients, making it both reef safe and vegan-friendly.
๐ฌ Ingredient Breakdown
๐งฌ Niacinamide ~4โ5% (est.) Proven
Vitamin B3 is the workhorse of this serum. It strengthens the skin barrier, helps regulate oil, calms redness and interrupts pigment transfer โ which is what fades post-acne dark marks over time.
- Research: Reviews of niacinamide report measurable fading of hyperpigmentation and improved barrier function at around 4โ5%.
- Brand study: In a 35-subject user questionnaire, skin was reported as smoother and brighter within one week.
๐ฑ Bakuchiol ~0.5โ1% (est.) Promising
A plant-derived compound from Psoralea corylifolia that mimics many of retinol's renewal benefits โ smoothing texture and softening marks โ but without the irritation, flaking or sun-sensitivity that retinoids can cause.
- Research: A 2019 British Journal of Dermatology study found bakuchiol comparable to retinol for lines and pigmentation, with less scaling and stinging.
๐ง Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) ~1โ2% (est.) Proven
A humectant and skin-soother that draws in moisture, supports barrier repair and eases the tight, irritated feeling that often lingers after a breakout.
- Research: Panthenol is well-documented to boost hydration and reduce transepidermal water loss, improving comfort in compromised skin.
โ๏ธ Zinc Gluconate Trace Promising
Zinc helps balance sebum and brings soothing, blemish-supporting properties, working alongside niacinamide to keep oilier, congestion-prone skin calmer.
- Research: Topical zinc has recognised anti-inflammatory and oil-regulating effects useful for acne-prone skin.
๐ Glycerin Humectant Proven
A gold-standard humectant that pulls water into the upper layers of skin, keeping the formula hydrating and comfortable despite its oil-free base.
- Research: Glycerin is one of the most studied and effective moisturising humectants in all of skincare.
๐ฅฅ Coco-Caprylate/Caprate Emollient Supporting
A lightweight, coconut-derived emollient that gives the serum a silky, fast-absorbing slip without a greasy film โ a clean stand-in for heavier facial oils.
๐งด Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Emollient Supporting
A light, coconut/palm-derived emollient that smooths application and helps spread the actives evenly across the skin while keeping the finish weightless.
๐ฉน Pantolactone Conditioning Supporting
A precursor to panthenol that adds extra soothing and conditioning, helping skin feel calmer and more comfortable after blemishes.
- Role: Works with panthenol to support hydration and a soft, supple skin feel.
๐ Citric Acid pH adjuster Supporting
Included in a small amount to fine-tune the formula's pH so the actives stay stable and skin-friendly. It is not present at exfoliating (AHA) levels here.
- Role: Buffering / pH balancing rather than active exfoliation.
19 ingredients
Aqua (Water), Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Bakuchiol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Zinc Gluconate, Pullulan, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Silica, Pantolactone, Citric Acid.
๐ Where It Fits in Your Routine
Use morning and night. Apply after cleansing to slightly damp skin, before heavier creams. In the morning, always finish with SPF โ and if you also use a benzoyl peroxide treatment (e.g. Acnecide gel), apply that to active spots and reserve this serum for the marks they leave behind.
๐ How to Use
Cleanse
Wash with a gentle, soap-free cleanser and pat skin until it's just damp.
Apply
Dispense 1โ2 pumps and smooth over the whole face, or apply directly onto post-breakout marks.
Layer
Follow with a suitable day or night moisturizer. Use both morning and night for best results.
Protect
In the morning, finish with a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ to protect fading marks from darkening.
๐ค Who Is It For?
โ Perfect for you if:
- You have post-acne marks, redness or uneven texture you want to fade
- You want retinol-like benefits without the irritation or peeling
- You have oily, combination or acne-prone skin
- You prefer fragrance-free, oil-free, vegan formulas
- You're easing into "actives" and want something gentle
โ Consider alternatives if:
- You're prone to fungal acne / Malassezia folliculitis (the esters can trigger it)
- You're pregnant or breastfeeding and want to avoid bakuchiol without a doctor's sign-off
- You need a high-strength treatment for active cystic acne (this targets marks, not flares)
- You want fully disclosed, percentage-labelled active concentrations
- You have very dry skin and need a richer, more occlusive serum
๐ฏ Skin Type Compatibility
Oil-free and fast-absorbing with zero shine; niacinamide and zinc help keep sebum in check.
Light enough for the T-zone yet hydrating enough for drier cheeks โ balances different zones well.
Non-comedogenic and barrier-friendly โ ideal for fading post-breakout marks. Note: not fungal-acne safe.
Fragrance- and allergen-free with gentle bakuchiol, but very reactive skin should patch test first.
Hydrating thanks to glycerin and panthenol, though very dry skin will want a richer moisturizer on top.
๐ Results Timeline
Smoother & Brighter
In the brand's user questionnaire, skin was reported as noticeably smoother, more refined and brighter within the first week of twice-daily use.
Self-reported in 1 week*Marks Start Fading
Redness and post-acne dark marks begin to look less noticeable, with skin tone appearing more even as niacinamide and bakuchiol get to work.
Visible by 4 weeks*Even Tone & Texture
With consistent daily use, post-acne marks continue to soften and overall texture looks smoother and more refined.
With consistent useBest Results
Pigment-fading actives like niacinamide and bakuchiol work gradually, so the fullest improvement in marks and tone typically shows around the 3-month mark.
โ3 months*Based on the brand's clinical-study user feedback questionnaire of 35 subjects. Individual results vary.
โญ Ratings by Platform
โ๏ธ Pros & Cons
โ Praised
- Genuinely fades post-acne marks and evens tone with consistent use
- Gentle, retinol-like results without irritation or peeling
- Lightweight, oil-free and fast-absorbing with no greasy finish
- Fragrance-free and barrier-friendly
- Convenient pump bottle; vegan & reef-safe
โ Criticized
- Not fungal-acne safe (contains esters + lysolecithin)
- Small 30 ml bottle for a twice-daily product
- Exact active percentages aren't officially disclosed
- Results require patience โ weeks, not days
- Bakuchiol lacks pregnancy safety data
๐ฐ Budget-Friendly Alternatives (Dupes)
Far higher niacinamide and zinc for oil control and marks, and it's fungal-acne safe โ but it skips bakuchiol and panthenol and has a slightly tacky finish. Bare-bones but effective for the price.
A simple 10% niacinamide aimed at oil and blemishes. No bakuchiol or soothing extras, but a barrier-friendly, lightweight and very affordable option.
Matches the gentle ~5% niacinamide level closely for soothing and tone, though it leaves out bakuchiol and the Pro-Vit B5 hydration boost.
๐ Comparison with Competitors
Acnecide Post-Breakout Serum (Featured)
ยฃ14.99The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
ยฃ5Naturium Niacinamide 12% + Zinc 2%
ยฃ18La Roche-Posay Mela B3
ยฃ45๐ฆ Storage & Shelf Life
12 months after opening (look for the 12M jar symbol on the packaging).
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, and keep the cap closed.
Airless-style pump bottle, 30 ml โ hygienic and easy to dispense.
Yes โ at 30 ml it's well under the 100 ml carry-on liquid limit.
โ Frequently Asked Questions
Its niacinamide and panthenol are widely considered pregnancy-safe, but the serum also contains bakuchiol โ a retinol-like active that hasn't been well studied during pregnancy. Because of that, most dermatologists suggest avoiding it, or getting your doctor's okay first, while pregnant or breastfeeding.
No. It contains coco-caprylate/caprate and caprylic/capric triglyceride (esters) plus lysolecithin, which can feed Malassezia yeast. If you're prone to fungal acne, choose an ester-free niacinamide serum instead.
Generally, yes. Bakuchiol is gentle and can even be layered with retinol or vitamin C. With strong AHAs/BHAs, introduce it slowly and on alternate days at first to avoid over-exfoliation. Niacinamide pairs well with almost everything.
It's ideal for oily, combination and acne-prone skin thanks to its oil-free, non-comedogenic formula. Dry and sensitive skin can use it too โ just layer a richer moisturizer on top and patch test first.
Brand testing reports smoother, brighter skin within about a week, with redness and dark marks looking less noticeable around 4 weeks. Realistically, fading post-acne marks is gradual โ expect the best results after roughly 8โ12 weeks of consistent twice-daily use.
After cleansing (and toner, if you use one) and before moisturizer. Apply it to the whole face or directly to marks, morning and night. In the morning, always finish with SPF.
It's formulated to be oil-free and non-comedogenic, so it's very unlikely to clog pores (we'd rate it around 1/5). The one caveat is fungal acne โ the esters aren't Malassezia-safe even though they sit low on the comedogenic scale.
Around 12 months after opening (look for the 12M symbol on the packaging). Stored in a cool, dry place with the cap closed, the 30 ml pump typically lasts about 2โ3 months with twice-daily use.
Verdict: A smart, affordable mark-fader that punches above its drugstore price. The bakuchiol-plus-niacinamide combo delivers retinol-like smoothing and real brightening without the irritation, in a lightweight oil-free base that acne-prone skin loves. It won't tackle active cystic acne, it isn't fungal-acne safe, and the brand keeps its exact percentages under wraps. But for gently fading post-breakout marks and evening out texture โ especially layered with the rest of the Acnecide/Purifide range โ it's an easy, low-risk recommendation. Just be patient and give it a full 8โ12 weeks.
Product Overview
What are Quick Product Notes?
Quick product notes are a great way to check if a product is free from commonly avoided ingredients by skincare enthusiasts. These preferences come about for different reasons depending on the ingredient such as personal experiences, sensitivities, health preferences & etc.
Pro Tip Alert!
Just because a product is not free from a common preference does not mean it's a bad product! You can make a personal decision whether or not you want to use a product that contains these ingredients or not - click the labels of the preference to read more about them.
Quick Product Notes
Paraben-Free
Paraben-Free
Understanding Parabens
Parabens are a large group of preservatives which are used to prevent bacteria growing in cosmetic formulations. There has been some healthy controversy surrounding them due to a few studies finding paraben presence in breast tumours and breast tissue. However, the majority of the scientific community have deemed these findings non-conclusive due to the limitations of these studies. There's still a lot of support for avoiding parabens following the better safe than sorry route. If you do we completely support you! If you are concerned about the health safety of parabens, then feel free to avoid them by looking out for the Paraben-Free icon. If not, don't worry about it - they do have had one of the longest safety records as preservatives!
Which Ingredients are classified as Paraben?
A product will be paraben-free if it does not contain any of the following parabens:
- Sodium Isobutylparaben
- Sodium Ethylparaben
- Sodium Butylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Isopropylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
- Sodium Propylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Sodium Methylparaben
- Methylparaben
Sulfate-Free
Sulfate-Free
Understanding Sulfates
Sulfates are a large group of ingredients which act as cleansing agents in Cosmetics. They help loosen up the dirt and grime from your skin and hair to allow for water to wash it away with ease. However some sulfates are so good at their job, they can wash off your skinโs own natural oils that keep it moisturised and protected which can lead to dryness and irritation. Most people will find no issues with sulfate, however if you find your skin doesn't like sulfates then free feel to avoid them by looking out for the sulfate-free icon on Skincarisma.
Which ingredients are classified as sulfates?
We've taken the Sulfates which are considered more harsh for our Sulfate-Free status. A product will be Sulfate-Free if it does not contain any of the following Sulfates:
- TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
- Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- PEG-15 Cocamine
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate
- Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
- Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
- Ammonium Xylenesulfonate
- Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
- Sodium Xylenesulfonate
- Sodium Myreth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
Alcohol-Free
Alcohol-Free
Understanding Simple Alcohols
Alcohol ingredients are widely used in cosmetics and come in different types. For the most part alcohols are not problematic at all. However one type of alcohols, simple alcohols can be quite drying to the skin because it evaporates very quickly. This can cause irritation which can also lead to other skin complications. These alcohols should never be used alone on your skin, but combined with other cosmetic ingredients, they are normally without issue. However, for some people with sensitive and easily irritable skin, avoiding products with these simple alcohols may be beneficial. If you find your skin doesn't like these simple alcohols, then free feel to avoid them by looking out for the Alcohol-Free icon.
Which Ingredients are classified as Alcohol?
A product will be alcohol-free if it does not contain any of the following alcohol ingredients:
- SD Alcohol
- Alcohol Denat
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Alcohol
Silicone-Free
Silicone-Free
Understanding Silicones
If you've ever used a skincare, makeup or beauty product that's made your skin look and feel smoother tempoarily - it's likely contained Silicone. They are a popular class of ingredients found in cosmetics due to their smooth, soft, easy-to-spread and smooth properties that help creates an artificial layer/barrier on top of skin or hair (commonly found in conditioners).
For the same reasons they are popularly used, they are also commonly avoided. Anecdotally, many individuals have reported that Silicones cause/excerbate breakouts, irritation, cause a feeling of skin being unable to breathe, cause clumping of cosmetic products and find it difficult to wash off. As a result, those who find them problematic are avoiding them and increasingly, cosmetic companies are avoiding them as well.
If you have had bad experiences with Silicones in the past, or suspect they are problematic then look out for the tick on the Silicone-free label.
Disclaimer
The Silicone-free label only includes the most common Silicone ingredients that have indentified been reported by individuals that could potentially cause issues.
These include: Amodimethicone, Behenoxy Dimethicone, Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Cetearyl Methicone, Cetyl Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Copolyol, Dimethiconol, Methicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Stearoxy Dimethicone, Stearyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsilylamodimethicone.
Note, that this does not include all ingredients part of the Silicone class of ingredients.
EU Allergen-Free
EU Allergen-Free
Understanding the Identified Contact Allergens
The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has identified and established 26 cosmetic ingredients that are likely contact allergens (potential to cause skin allergies) as demonstrated in clinical or epidemiological studies. The EU's SCCS have recommend cosmetic companies to disclose them on the labels if used and in cases where the concentration exceeds 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products, then they must be labelled.
Look out for the tick on the EU-Allergen free label to know your cosmetic is free from any of the 26 identified cosmetic ingredients.
For more information regarding the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, please visit their official website.
Disclaimer
The EU Allergen Free label is for the 26 ingredients identified by the EU SCCS and products will be only flagged if a suspected ingredient is on it's ingredient list. It is possible for cosmetics to contain one of the suspect ingredients without it appearing on the ingredient list due to it not reaching the concentration threshold to disclose it and cosmetic manufacturers choice to not disclose it.
Also note, the EU Allergen Free label is not personalized for your own allergies you may have and it does not constitute as medical advice. For your specific case, always consult your medical professiona such as dermatologist, physician, pharmacist, or health care provider - please read our medical disclaimer for more information.
Fungal Acne (Molassezia) Safe
Fungal Acne (Molassezia) Safe
Understanding Fungal Acne (Pityrosporum Folliculitis/Malassezia Folliculitis)
Pityrosporum Folliculitis/Malassezia folliculitis or simply known as Fungal Acne is a persistent acne-like condition that commonly responds poorly to traditional acne-treating methods. Unlike most cases of Acne where bacteria is the culprit, Fungi is the culprit of Fungal Acne (Hence the name!). There are certain classes & groups of ingredients that have been shown to promote and feed the growth of the Fungal Acne, Fungi such as fatty acids, oils, esters, polysorbates and fermented ingredients.
For more information regarding Fungal Acne, please visit Simple Skincare Science (f.c) - #3 of our Recommend Skincare Resources for an amazing comprehensive guide!
Please Read: How to use the Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Label
At SkinCarisma, we've done our best to identify as many ingredients as possible but note the fungal-free label may not be 100% accurate due to the complexconditions and combination of ingredients that malezzeria can thrive on.
Additionally, products that may contain ingredients that have shown to feed Malassezia may not neccessarily exacerbate the condition due to concentration of ingredient used in the product, this information is simply not available on the products.
As a result, please note this is only an experimental label that can be best used to possible identify problematic products you have used in the past. It is in no way a perfect identifier nor a predictor in whether or not it will exacerbate or cause fungal acne. It will continue to be worked on as more information and research comes to light.
If you find any ingredients you believe should be included, please email us at snails@skincarisma.com.
Disclaimer
Due to the lack of substantial research into this area it is very likely there are other ingredients and class/groups of ingredients that could feed Fungal Acne which have not been indentified.
The Fungal-Safe label does not constitute as medical advice. For your specific case, always consult your medical professiona such as dermatologist, physician, pharmacist, or health care provider - please read our medical disclaimer for more information.
What are Notable Effects & Ingredients?
Ever used a product that promised a certain effect but provided no results? It might not have contained any notable ingredients that could have been responsible for that promised effect. It doesn't matter what the marketing or packaging ยซpromisesยป it can do, if it doesn't contain anything that can help - then the likelihood of it helping is low.
We help you identify key notable ingredients that have been shown to help with effects such as acne-fighting, brightening, UV-protection, wound healing & anti-aging to help you achieve your skincare goals smarter. Please note that different notable ingredients have varying levels of research behind them, some are extremely well proven yet some have mixed research in their efficacy.
Pro Tip Alert!
Just because a product doesn't contain any notable ingredients doesn't mean it's bad. And a product with notable ingredients (or even many) doesn't necessarily guarantee the efficacy of the product performing these effects either. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine this.
Be smart and use this as just a starting point for you to make more informed and smarter choices and compare it with reviews to see if the product is right for you
Notable Effects & Ingredients
What are Ingredients Related to Skin Type?
Why are some products great for some people and horrible for others? Well everyone has different skin types and different reactions to the same ingredients.
We've identified a range of ingredients that are commonly regarded as potentially good or bad for those with Dry, Oily/Acne-Prone or Sensitive skin.
Pro Tip Alert!
A product that contains good or bad ingredients for your skin type doesn't always flat out make the entire product good or bad for your skin. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine your skins reaction.
One of the best ways to use this section is to troubleshoot products you've had bad experiences with in the past. Check if it contains any of the marked ingredients to point out suspect ingredients to avoid in the future!
Ingredients Related to Skin Types
Dry Skin
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
Sensitive Skin
What is the Ingredient Safety Breakdown?
Ingredient Safety Breakdown refers to the percentage % of ingredients in different risk categories as classified by EWG (Environment Working Group) if they are available. There are almost endless cosmetic ingredients and they are one of the few organisations globally that have assigned ratings to a lot of the more commonly used ingredients which is why we reference them.
Pro Tip Alert!
EWG is seen by many to be more on the alarmist side in their assignment of health ratings resulting in rating ingredients as riskier than they actually are. We recommend using this a reference point rather than a strict guide of ingredient safety and to always do further research if into ingredients that you may find suspect.