Bubble Super Clear Acne Treating Serum
Everything behind the verdicts on this product: the rule that fired for each concern, the three answers and the documents they rest on, every study on the row with the date it was opened, and the versions of the tables that produced them. Nothing here is edited by hand; it is generated from the same records the verdicts are.
The scaleRecommendedGoodSupportingEarly evidenceNot for thisAvoidhow it works
Engine 5.2.0 · rules 0.5.1 · evidence table ev-2026.10-r231 · computed October 13, 2026 · how we decide · the evidence table · the anchors
for Acne
Salicylic Acid is an approved or monograph active for acne; this serum carries it at 2%.
A first-line active — approved, monograph-listed or named in current guidelines — at an effective strength, with no trigger for the concern.
- Rule
- R2 → Strong choice. A first-line active (approved, monograph-listed or named in a current guideline); declared at a working strength, or a labelled active.
q1 = first-line · q2 = adequate
Why this rule exists: A regulator- or guideline-recognised first-line active, declared at an effective strength, in a form the claim supports.
Rule R2 decided 905 verdicts across the catalog; “Strong choice” is the verdict on 1,475 of 45,446. The full register. - Carrying active
- Salicylic Acid
- 1 · Standing
- First-line — a regulator recognises it for this use; trials support it
Document: § 333.310 Acne active ingredients. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration — 21 CFR Part 333 Subpart D (Topical Acne Drug Products), Code of Federal Regulations via GovInfo), opened July 27, 2026 - 2 · Form
- Adequate — declared at 2%
Studied range: 0.5–2%, from the OTC monograph or label; judge it after about 6 weeks - 3 · Tolerability
- Gentle
- Evidence dots
- Moderate evidence
Row checked against its sources on July 27, 2026 (evidence table ev-2026.10-r231). - What readers report
- No reviews read yet for this product. Shown beside the verdict; never blended into it.
- Verdict since
- September 5, 2026 (unchanged across rebuilds since then)
The studies and documents on the row
- Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris — Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2024), opened July 16, 2026
- 2024 AAD Acne Vulgaris Clinical Guideline Summary — Guideline Central (2024), opened July 16, 2026
- Inside the 2024 AAD Acne Guidelines: New Therapies Join Old Standbys — MDedge (2024), opened July 16, 2026
← Back to the verdict All acne products → Disclose a concentration or correct a fact →
for Blackheads
Salicylic Acid is an approved or monograph active for blackheads; this serum carries it at 2%.
A first-line active — approved, monograph-listed or named in current guidelines — at an effective strength, with no trigger for the concern.
- Rule
- R2 → Strong choice. A first-line active (approved, monograph-listed or named in a current guideline); declared at a working strength, or a labelled active.
q1 = first-line · q2 = adequate
Why this rule exists: A regulator- or guideline-recognised first-line active, declared at an effective strength, in a form the claim supports.
Rule R2 decided 905 verdicts across the catalog; “Strong choice” is the verdict on 1,475 of 45,446. The full register. - Carrying active
- Salicylic Acid
- 1 · Standing
- First-line — a regulator recognises it for this use; trials support it
Document: 21 CFR § 333.350 - Labeling of acne drug products. (US Code of Federal Regulations (Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School)), opened July 27, 2026 - 2 · Form
- Adequate — declared at 2%
Studied range: 0.5–2%, from the OTC monograph or label; judge it after about 6 weeks - 3 · Tolerability
- Gentle
- Evidence dots
- Moderate evidence
Row checked against its sources on July 27, 2026 (evidence table ev-2026.10-r231). - What readers report
- No reviews read yet for this product. Shown beside the verdict; never blended into it.
- Verdict since
- September 5, 2026 (unchanged across rebuilds since then)
The studies and documents on the row
- OTC monograph, Topical Acne Drug Products — salicylic acid 0.5–2% recognized as an acne treatment active — US Food and Drug Administration
- 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel vs. adapaline gel in mild to moderate acne vulgaris treatment: A multicenter, randomized, evaluator-blind, parallel-controlled trial — Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2024), opened July 17, 2026
← Back to the verdict All blackheads products → Disclose a concentration or correct a fact →
for Large Pores
The actives here have been researched for large pores and the evidence does not support the claim.
The actives have been researched for this concern and the evidence does not support the claim.
- Rule
- R10 → Not for this. An active researched for the concern and found wanting; the product’s category job is not a recognised companion to the concern.
q1 = none · supportive = false
Why this rule exists: Researched and found wanting is a different sentence from unresearched (R11).
Rule R10 decided 489 verdicts across the catalog; “Not for this” is the verdict on 489 of 45,446. The full register. - Carrying active
- Salicylic Acid
- 1 · Standing
- None
- 2 · Form
- Adequate — declared at 2%
Studied range: 0.5–2%, from the OTC monograph or label; needs leave-on contact; judge it after about 6 weeks - 3 · Tolerability
- Gentle
- Evidence dots
- Not from a trial row
- What readers report
- No reviews read yet for this product. Shown beside the verdict; never blended into it.
- Verdict since
- September 5, 2026 (unchanged across rebuilds since then)
The studies and documents on the row
- Efficacy and safety of a facial serum and a mask containing salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid in acne management: A randomized controlled trial — Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2023), opened July 16, 2026
- 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel vs. adapaline gel in mild to moderate acne vulgaris treatment: A multicenter, randomized, evaluator-blind, parallel-controlled trial — Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2024), opened July 16, 2026
- Evaluation of 30% supramolecular salicylic acid followed by 1565-nm non-ablative fractional laser on facial acne and subsequent enlarged pores — Lasers in Medical Science (2023), opened July 16, 2026
- The efficacy and adverse effects of treatment options for facial pores: A review article — Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2023), opened July 16, 2026
← Back to the verdict All large pores products → Disclose a concentration or correct a fact →
for Excess Oiliness
Salicylic Acid has trial-level evidence for excess oiliness but no guideline or regulatory standing yet — promising, short of a recommendation; the other actives here are not yet assessed for it.
The lead active has at least one trial behind it for the concern but no guideline or regulatory standing yet, and is present at a working level. Short of a recommendation.
- Rule
- R9p → Promising. An active with early or mechanistic evidence only; declared at a working strength, or a labelled active or at a plausible but undeclared level; the product’s category job is not a recognised companion to the concern; moderate or strong evidence dots on the carrier’s row.
q1 = plausible · q2 = adequate | plausible · supportive = false · strength = moderate | strong
Why this rule exists: 0.5.0: 'Unproven' beside three filled dots read as one question answered twice with opposite words (7,018 rows). The chip measures standing, the dots measure trial volume; where the row carries at least one RCT or a tier-2 source (moderate dots) and the active is present at a working level, the honest word is Promising. Unproven is reserved for plausible-standing rows with limited or weak evidence, or an under-dosed form. Same rank as Unproven — a bet either way; the dots order them.
Rule R9p decided 4,872 verdicts across the catalog; “Promising” is the verdict on 4,872 of 45,446. The full register. - Carrying active
- Salicylic Acid
- 1 · Standing
- Plausible — trials support it
- 2 · Form
- Adequate — declared at 2%
- 3 · Tolerability
- Gentle
- Evidence dots
- Moderate evidence
- What readers report
- No reviews read yet for this product. Shown beside the verdict; never blended into it.
- Verdict since
- September 5, 2026 (unchanged across rebuilds since then)
The studies and documents on the row
- 30% Supramolecular Salicylic Acid Improved Symptoms and Skin Barrier in Papulopustular Rosacea — Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology — TRUE vehicle (matrix minus SA); investigator-initiated, China Medical University, no declared conflicts (2025), opened July 16, 2026
- Salicylic acid treats acne vulgaris by suppressing AMPK/SREBP1 pathway in sebocytes — Experimental Dermatology — in vitro SEB-1 sebocytes + rabbit ear; NO human data (2019), opened July 16, 2026
- Clinical Efficacy of a Salicylic Acid-Containing Gel on Acne Management and Skin Barrier Function: A 21-Day Prospective Study — Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology — SINGLE-ARM, not an RCT; L'Oréal/CeraVe-employed co-authors testing their own product; EXCLUDED, see notes (2025), opened July 16, 2026
- 30% supramolecular salicylic acid peels effectively treats acne vulgaris and reduces facial sebum — Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology — self-contrast, no control arm; EXCLUDED (2022), opened July 16, 2026
- Efficacy and safety of a facial serum and a mask containing salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid in acne management: A randomized controlled trial — Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology — randomized, but BOTH arms received the SA serum (mask vs no mask); no vehicle arm; all authors L'Oréal China; EXCLUDED (2023), opened July 16, 2026
- 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel vs. adapaline gel in mild to moderate acne vulgaris treatment: A multicenter, randomized, evaluator-blind, parallel-controlled trial. — Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology — n=500, 16 weeks; sebum was MEASURED but the comparator is adapalene, not vehicle, and the abstract reports no sebum result; full text not in PMC. EXCLUDED (no vehicle arm; endpoint result unreported) (2024), opened October 13, 2026
← Back to the verdict All excess oiliness products → Disclose a concentration or correct a fact →
for Sensitivity
No fragrance, drying alcohol, declarable allergens or sensitising preservatives in this serum — the profile sensitive skin looks for.
For sensitivity only: no fragrance, drying alcohol, declarable allergens or sensitising preservatives in the formula.
- Rule
- F2 → Good choice. The formula carries no trigger and no caution for the concern.
q3 = gentle
Why this rule exists: Gentle = no weighted deduction fired and fit ≥ 90.
Rule F2 decided 1,955 verdicts across the catalog; “Good choice” is the verdict on 1,955 of 45,446. The full register. - Carrying active
- Centella Asiatica & Colloidal Oatmeal
- 1 · Standing
- None
- 2 · Form
- Plausible — concentration not declared; read from the position in the ingredient list
Studied range: 0.05%, from the trials on the row; needs leave-on contact - 3 · Tolerability
- Gentle
- Evidence dots
- Not from a trial row
- What readers report
- No reviews read yet for this product. Shown beside the verdict; never blended into it.
- Verdict since
- September 5, 2026 (unchanged across rebuilds since then)
The studies and documents on the row
- The Effectiveness and Safety of a Skin Care Product With Centella asiatica Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, and Panthenol in Subjects With Sensitive Skin: A Prospective, Observational Study — Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2025), opened July 16, 2026
- The Effects of a Standardized Extract of Centella asiatica on Postlaser Resurfacing Wound Healing on the Face: A Split-Face, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial — Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2020), opened July 16, 2026
← Back to the verdict All sensitivity products → Disclose a concentration or correct a fact →
for Rough Texture
Salicylic Acid is a reference standard by mechanism for rough texture; this serum carries it at 2%.
A trial-supported active, or a reference standard by mechanism, at a working level; or a first-line active below its studied range.
- Rule
- R5 → Good choice. A supported active (trial-backed, or a reference standard by mechanism); declared at a working strength, or a labelled active or at a plausible but undeclared level.
q1 = supported · q2 = adequate | plausible
Why this rule exists: Trial-supported or guideline-supported active, adequately or plausibly dosed.
Rule R5 decided 9,843 verdicts across the catalog; “Good choice” is the verdict on 10,340 of 45,446. The full register. - Carrying active
- Salicylic Acid
- 1 · Standing
- Supported — its mechanism is established (a reference standard, not a trial result)
- 2 · Form
- Adequate — declared at 2%
Studied range: 0.5–2%, from the trials on the row; needs leave-on contact; judge it after about 6 weeks - 3 · Tolerability
- Gentle
- Evidence dots
- Limited evidence
Row checked against its sources on July 17, 2026 (evidence table ev-2026.10-r231). - What readers report
- No reviews read yet for this product. Shown beside the verdict; never blended into it.
- Verdict since
- September 5, 2026 (unchanged across rebuilds since then)
The studies and documents on the row
- International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook — declared function — Personal Care Products Council
- United States Pharmacopeia / National Formulary — excipient monograph — USP-NF
← Back to the verdict All rough texture products → Disclose a concentration or correct a fact →
for Acne Scarring
Centella Asiatica has early or mechanistic evidence for acne scarring — a reasonable bet, not a recommendation; the other actives here are not yet assessed for it.
The lead active has early or mechanistic evidence only, or is present below a working level. A reasonable bet, not a recommendation.
- Rule
- R9 → Unproven. An active with early or mechanistic evidence only; the product’s category job is not a recognised companion to the concern.
q1 = plausible · supportive = false
Why this rule exists: Plausible-tier actives alone do not earn a recommendation, and 'not for this' would overstate the case against them. 'Unproven' with the evidence dots lets the reader judge the bet (added 0.2.0 after the first shadow run put a 10% niacinamide serum at 'not for this' for hyperpigmentation). 0.5.0: the closing clause reads the other heroes — "nothing else here addresses it" only when every other active has a researched 'none' row; "not yet assessed" when that is the truth. Rows whose dots read moderate or better now reach R9p first.
Rule R9 decided 4,156 verdicts across the catalog; “Unproven” is the verdict on 4,156 of 45,446. The full register. - Carrying active
- Centella Asiatica & Colloidal Oatmeal
- 1 · Standing
- Plausible — trials support it
- 2 · Form
- Plausible — concentration not declared; read from the position in the ingredient list
- 3 · Tolerability
- Gentle
- Evidence dots
- Limited evidence
Row checked against its sources on July 17, 2026 (evidence table ev-2026.10-r231). - What readers report
- No reviews read yet for this product. Shown beside the verdict; never blended into it.
- Verdict since
- September 5, 2026 (unchanged across rebuilds since then)
The studies and documents on the row
- Comparisons of the effects of topical anti-scar drugs on post-surgical facial scar formation: a clinical investigation — American Journal of Translational Research (2023), opened July 17, 2026
- Centella triterpenes cream as a potential drug for the treatment of hypertrophic scar through inhibiting the phosphorylation pathway — Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2023), opened July 17, 2026
- Pharmacological Effects of Centella asiatica on Skin Diseases: Evidence and Possible Mechanisms — Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2021), opened July 17, 2026
← Back to the verdict All acne scarring products → Disclose a concentration or correct a fact →
No category-job specification exists for this category yet, so there is no job reading.
A verdict is Dermington’s assessment of how well a product’s ingredients fit a concern — never a claim about what the product treats. Every rule is public and the same for every product; a brand cannot buy a reading. How we decide · what has changed · disclaimer.