The original, what makes it special and the shelf parts we use. This build already reaches the highest score we can honestly claim.
The original · Face Reality
$76 · 1 oz
A 2% salicylic acid serum with mandelic and lactic acids and oleyl adapalenate, an adapalene ester the brand pairs with the BHA to treat blemishes and early aging with less irritation.
Prices and listings checked Oct 28, 2026. Amazon prices change; the link shows today's price.
Step 2 · The build
Minimalist
Minimalist
Adds: Oleyl adapalenate
The Ordinary
Adds: Mandelic and lactic acids
Partial credit means the part only partly matches that standout.
The 100 points
We split Age Adaptive Clearing Serum into 3 standout parts. Each bar shows what the build earns.
The published active. The AAD acne guideline favors benzoyl peroxide and retinoids, with salicylic acid as a conditional option.
A retinoid-type ester; no published concentration and no clinical evidence located for this ester, so equivalence is not claimed.
No close retail equivalent: we credit at most 50% of these points.
Surface exfoliation.
No close retail equivalent: we credit at most 50% of these points.
Step 3 · Buy
One link per part. Each opens the retailer in a new tab.
Your build
Running total $10.99
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)Running total ~$25.99
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)Running total ~$35.19
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)Snapshot prices. Each link shows today's price.
One bottle instead of a build. Sorted by match score; scores use the same standouts as above.
Minimalist
No close match yet — we show the nearest formulas.
Why it is close. A 2% salicylic acid serum for $10.99. The BHA half only.
Minimalist
Why it is close. Has oleyl adapalenate at a published 0.5% plus retinal, which Face Reality does not have. No salicylic acid, so pair it with a BHA.
The Ordinary
Why it is close. The Ordinary 10% lactic acid at $9.20. Stronger lactic acid than this serum probably has; the AHA half only.
Minimalist
Running total
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)No gain nowMinimalist
Minimalist
Adds: Oleyl adapalenate
Running total
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)No gain nowMinimalist
The Ordinary
Adds: Mandelic and lactic acids
Running total
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)No gain nowThe Ordinary
Topical retinoids are among the first-line acne options in the AAD guideline.
Reynolds 2024 · J Am Acad DermatolSalicylic acid is reviewed as an acne, photoaging and pigmentation peeling agent.
Arif 2015 · Clin Cosmet Investig Dermat…active: salicylic acid 2%; other ingredients: water (aqua), propanediol, mandelic acid, lactic acid, dimethyl isosorbide, dicaprylyl ether, glyceryl oleate citrate, propylheptylcaprylate, sodium hydroxide, succinic acid, oleyl adapalenate, xylitol, caprylic acid, potassium cetyl phosphate, polyacrylate crosspolymer-6,xanthan gum, sclerotium gum, lecithin, pullulan, silica, phenoxyethanol, potassium azeloyl diglycinate, alcohol denat., ethylhexylglycerin
We split Age Adaptive Clearing Serum into 3 standout parts worth 100 points in total. The build earns 73 of a possible 73. 73 is the most we claim, because some standouts have no close retail equivalent.
Minimalist Salicylic Acid 2% Face Serum by Minimalist is our closest single-product match at 51 out of 100 for $10.99 (30 ml / 1 fl oz). It shares Salicylic acid, Lactic acid (trace), Sodium hyaluronate.
Age Adaptive Clearing Serum costs $76 for 1 oz. The closest dupe costs $10.99, a saving of about $65.01. Prices change, so check the seller page.
No. Dupes share the key actives but can differ in concentration, vehicle and supporting ingredients. Missing from this one: Oleyl adapalenate, Mandelic acid. See our methodology for how we score.
Obagi · treatment
$49.29our build, 3 partsOriginal $135, build $49.29.
CeraVe + The INKEY List + The Ordinary
Face Reality · serum
$14.90our build, 1 partOriginal $54, build $14.90.
The Ordinary
SkinBetter Science · exfoliant
~$37our build, 4 partsOriginal $125, build ~$37.
The Ordinary