Clear Complexion Acne Serum + Spot Treatment
The Urban Skin Clear Complexion Acne Serum + Spot Treatment is a serums, essence, ampoule. Our analysis of its 47 ingredients (34 low-risk) rates it Excellent (96/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin.
The Urban Skin Clear Complexion Acne Serum + Spot Treatment is a serums, essence, ampoule. Our analysis of its 47 ingredients (34 low-risk) rates it Excellent (96/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin.
Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.
The evidence
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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Benzoyl Peroxide
(Antiacne Agent, Oxidising Agent) |
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Water
(Solvent) |
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Glycolic Acid
(Exfoliant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent) |
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
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Propanediol
(Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Glycerin
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care Agent, Oral Health Care Drug, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Perfuming, Solvent) |
Good for Dry Skin
Fungal Acne Trigger
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Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
(Binding Agent, Film Forming, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Opacifying, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Oligopeptide-68
(Bleaching) |
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Alpha-Arbutin
(Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning) |
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Glutathione
(Fragrance, Reducing) |
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Kojic Acid
(Antioxidant) |
Good for Dry Skin
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Retinyl Palmitate
(Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Miscellaneous) |
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Tall Oil Sterol
(Emollient, Refatting, Skin Conditioning) |
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Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
(Skin Conditioning) |
Good for Sensitive Skin
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Salix Nigra Bark Extract
(Skin Protecting) |
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Hamamelis Virginiana Water
(Astringent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Soothing) |
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Arnica Montana Extract
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Niacinamide
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing) |
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Azelaic Acid
(Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking) |
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Zinc Oxide
(Bulking Agent, Cosmetic Colorant, Skin Protecting, Sunscreen Agent) |
Good for Oily Skin
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Echinacea Purpurea Adventitious Root
(Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Emollient) |
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Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Alcohol
(Antifoaming Agent, Antimicrobial, Astringent, Masking, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling) |
Bad for Dry Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
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Citric Acid
(Chelating Agent, Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
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Lecithin
(Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Antistatic Agent, Emollient) |
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Sodium Phytate
(Chelating Agent, Oral Care Agent) |
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Butylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscositydecreasing Agent, Humectant, Masking, Viscosity Controlling) |
Good for Dry Skin
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Hydrogenated Lecithin
(Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Suspending Agent Nonsurfactant) |
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Sodium Oleate
(Sufactant, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Disodium EDTA
(Chelating Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Sodium Hydroxide
(Denaturant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent) |
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Polyacrylate-13
(Film Forming) |
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Polyisobutene
(Binding Agent, Film Forming, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Polysorbate 20
(Emulsifying, Surfactant) |
Fungal Acne Trigger
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Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
(Viscosity Controlling) |
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Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative) |
Paraben
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Ethylhexylglycerin
(Deodorant, Skin Conditioning) |
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Carbomer
(Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Dimethicone
(Antifoaming Agent, Skin Protecting, Emollient, Skin Conditioning) |
Silicone
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PEG-40 Stearate
(Emulsifying, Surfactant) |
Fungal Acne Trigger
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Silica
(Abrasive, Absorbent, Anticaking Agent, Bulking Agent, Opacifying, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Sodium Citrate
(Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Chelating, Masking) |
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Diheptyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
(Cleansing, Surfactant Cleansing, Surfactant Foam Boosting, Surfactant Hydrotrope) |
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Sorbitan Stearate
(Fragrance, Emulsifying, Surfactant) |
Fungal Acne Trigger
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Xanthan Gum
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant Emulsifying Agent, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Sorbitan Isostearate
(Emulsifying, Surfactant) |
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Benzoic Acid
(Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Preservative, Bulking Agent, Masking) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
|
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Glycine Soja Oil
(Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Emollient) |
No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.
EWG flags hazard, not real-world risk — ratings don't account for how much of an ingredient a product contains. Treat these as things to research, not verdicts. How we score →
How to use
General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.
Trust & honesty
Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.
Topical retinoids (retinol, retinaldehyde, retinyl esters) are widely advised against in pregnancy as a precaution. The strongest evidence is for ORAL retinoids; topical absorption is low, but most clinicians err on the side of caution.
Often considered acceptable for limited spot use, but many clinicians prefer you check first.
This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy guidance varies and depends on concentration and your individual situation — always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. How we flag this.
The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.
Most studied between 0.1% and 1%. Higher is not automatically better — irritation climbs with dose, so a well-formulated lower strength is often the sweet spot.
Retinyl Palmitate
Most research uses 2–5%; some formulas go to 10%. Very high levels can cause flushing in sensitive skin.
Niacinamide
OTC leave-on AHAs are usually 5–10%. The effect also depends on pH and free-acid value, not the percentage alone.
Glycolic Acid
Lower strengths (2.5–5%) work about as well as 10% for many people, with less dryness and irritation.
Benzoyl Peroxide
INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.
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