Why not drunk elephant?
If a product is sold directly to the public, it must be tolerable for almost anyone to use without direction. Active ingredients are the ones that do the work, but they can cause reactions such as photosensitivity, dryness, and may worsen conditions if not used correctly. To minimize irritation, drugstore lines, including Sephora and Ulta, use active ingredients sparingly or not at all. If people had reactions due to misuse of actives, they wouldn't buy the product.
Companies that manufacture professional products with potent ingredients sell to trained professionals. An esthetician will guide you on how to use the product to its fullest potential. Using the product correctly and pairing it with other products is the key to a successful skincare routine. Without this knowledge, you could be wasting money and causing more harm than good.
You can choose products based on marketing, cute branding, or what worked for someone else, but your face probably won't burn off. If you have skin issues that cause low self-esteem, it's best to seek the help of an esthetician/acne specialist.
I hope this helps you make smart skincare decisions. - Molly M.