Every time a pimple rears its ugly head on my chin (something that happens less and less these days), I turn to sulfur to give it the boot.
Sulfur’s harsh. But it gets the job done faster than anything else I’ve ever tried. Kinda worth the trade-off, you know what I mean?
But I’m always on the lookout for something that can deliver the same results without the dryness and irritation. Salcura Antiac Activ Gel Serum promised me just that. Did it deliver?
What’s In Salcura Antiac Activ Gel Serum?
ZINC PCA
Zinc PCA is the main acne-fighter in Salcura Antiac Activ Gel Serum. A very unique one at that.
Zinc PCA moisturises skin while keeping oil production under control. It works like this: the zinc part helps reduce the production of sebum and limit the proliferation of P.Acnes (the bacteria that gives you acne) while PCA helps skin retain moisture.
Related: Can Zinc Help Treat Acne?
SKINWELL DFA
Skinwell DFA is made up of several ingredients:
- Polyglyceryl-3-Caprylate: An emulsifier that keeps the formula from separating.
- Phenoxyethanol: A preservative that keeps the formula free from bacteria contamination.
- Alcohol Denat: It helps active ingredients better penetrate skin.
- Polyglyceryl-4-Caprate: An emollient that makes skin softer and smoother.
- Bisabolol: The soothing agent in chamomile, it calms down redness and irritation.
- Glyceryl Laurate: Another emollient that makes skin softer and smoother.
- P-Ani-Sic-Acid: A preservative that works against fungi. It also helps mask unpleasant odours.
I’m not sure why Salcura emphases Skinwell DFA so much. The only thing here that works a little against acne is bisabolol.
And even that can only reduce the redness and irritation that comes along with pimples, not the pimple itself…
Related: Everything You Need To Know About Chamomile In Skincare
TEA TREE OIL
Salcura Antiac Activ Gel Serum also contains a small amount of tea tree oil, a natural acne fighter.
Derived from the Australian plant melaleuca alternifolia, Tea Tree Oil is an antimicrobial agent that kills P.Acnes, the bacteria that causes acne. Plus, it reduces inflammation.
The catch? Studies show it works at a 5%+ concentration. This spot treatment contains way less. It’s not completely useless, but it won’t work as fast as you want it to.
Related: Is Tea Tree Oil The Underdog Of Acne Treatments?
ESSENTIAL OILS
Like most Salcura products, Antiac Activ Gel Serum is loaded with essential oils that can irritate sensitive skin. And acne-prone skin IS sensitive.
Lavender, peppermint and orange may smell nice, but their fragrant components can give your skin a rash or worse.
A breakout is a sign your skin is already inflamed. Why add essential oils that could make things worse? Just because it’s natural, it doesn’t mean it’s good for skin!
Related: 7 Natural Ingredients That Can Irritate Sensitive Skin
Texture
A lightweight, fast-absorbing lotion that leaves no greasy residue behind.
Fragrance
Herbal. Personally, I don’t like it. It’s pretty much a “love it or hate it” scent. I know people who dig it and others who think it stinks big time!
How To Use It
Apply on pimples as soon as they rear their ugly heads. Reapply every few hours until it goes away.
Performance & Personal Opinion
Salcura Antiac Activ Gel Serum didn’t really work for me. Or better, it did the best it could. Here’s what I mean.
This spot treatment did help to reduce redness. After a few hours, my pimple didn’t look so angry anymore. It also helped with soreness a little.
But it didn’t really make my pimple smaller or get rid of it. And yes, I did reapply it a couple of times throughout the day. The anti-acne actives are too mild to do much of anything.
In the end, I had to go back to sulfur to make that pimple disappear. I’m not sure I want to cheat on it again…
But hey, at least the spot treatment didn’t dry out or irritate my skin. But if your sensitive, I wouldn’t risk it. Too many essential oils for your skin.
Related: Is Sulfur Good Or Bad For Acne?
Who Is This For?
I can’t recommend this to anyone. 🙁
Who Is This Not For?
Again, I don’t recommend it.
Packaging
Salcura Antiac Activ Gel Serum comes in a sleek white tube with a pointed tip. Sleek and practical.
Does Salcura Antiac Activ Gel Serum Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Antiac Activ Gel Serum contains clinically proven ingredients Skinwell DFA and ZPA plus. Both ingredients have the proven ability to significantly reduce any symptoms associated with Acne, like spots, blemishes and blackheads. | Note how Salcura doesn’t claim the gel can get rid of pimples. It just claims to relieve the symptoms of pimples. It does that to an extent. |
| Contains wonderful natural ingredients like Tea Tree, Eucalyptus and Manuka, all designed to soothe the skin, reduce signs of redness and gently support the skin back to health in as little as 4 hours! | They’re all present in tiny amounts, so won’t do much. Eucalyptus oil can be irritating. |
Price & Availability
£9.99 at Salcura
Do You Need It?
No. It may work at reducing the symptoms associated with pimples. But wouldn’t you want to get rid of them too while you’re at it?!
[penci_review]
Dupes & Alternatives
- Epionce Purifying Spot Gel ($38.00)
- Indie Lee Blemish Lotion ($26.00)
- La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment ($36.95)
- Paula’s Choice Clear Daily Skin Clearing Treatment With 5% benzoyl peroxide ($18.00)
Ingredients
Aqua, Propylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Grape See Oil (Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil), Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sea Buckthorn Extract (Hippophae Rhamnoides Kernel Extract), Polyglyceryl-3 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Arginine, Zinc PCA, Potassium Hydroxide, Tea Tree Leaf Oil (Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil), Sunflower Seed Oil (Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil), Limonene, Sweet Orange Peel Oil (Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil), Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Eucalyptus Leaf Oil (Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil), p-Anisic Acid, Lavender Oil (Lavandula Angustifolia Oil), Rosemary Oil (Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil), Bisabolol, Glyceryl Laurate, Linalool, Neroli Oil (Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil), Manuka Oil (Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil), Peppermint Oil (Mentha Piperita Oil), Citral, Geraniol, Beta-Carotene.
