
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Essence Water with multiple botanical extracts and acids
FEATURES
Smoothens skin, refines pores, revives natural radiance, skin clearing, pore & acne control
BEST FOR
combination
CHECKS
No parabens, no sulfates explicitly mentioned; avoid eye area; contains AHA, BHA, PHA
Who Is It For?
Adults All GendersWhat Does It Help With?
Pore Minimization Acne Control Skin Smoothing RadianceBudget
Affordable (under $30)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What CLINELLE Says
Product Description:
Skin clearing essence water powered by botanical extracts, AHA, BHA* and PHA, works effectively to smoothen skin, refine pores and revive skin natural radiance for a healthy and fresh look.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
Water,Butylene-Glycol,Propanediol,1,2-Hexanediol,PEG-60-Hydrogenated-Castor-Oil,Disodium-EDTA,Phenoxyethanol,Gluconolactone,Saccharide-Isomerate,Glycolic-Acid,Melaleuca-Alternifolia-Tea-Tree-Leaf-Oil,Potassium-Hydroxide,Salix-Nigra-Willow-Bark-Extract,Salicylic-Acid,Camellia-Sinensis-Leaf-Extract,Ethylhexylglycerin,Houttuynia-Cordata-Extract,Melaleuca-Alternifolia-Tea-Tree-Leaf-Extract,Mentha-Piperita-Peppermint-Leaf-Extract,Morinda-Citrifolia-Extract,Petroselinum-Sativum-Parsley-Extract
Key Ingredients
AHA,Glycolic-Acid,BHA,Salicylic-Acid,PHA,Gluconolactone,Tea-Tree-Leaf-Oil,Camellia-Sinensis-Leaf-Extract
Ingredients Details
1-2-hexanediol
Common Name(s): 1-2-hexanediol,cosmetic active,functional ingredient
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Delivers characteristic cosmetic function at recommended use concentration.
Why It's Used: Selected for functional contribution and formulation compatibility supported by cosmetic science and regulatory safety data.
How It Works: Works through the mechanism of its molecular class โ physicochemical or biological interaction with skin proteins, lipids, or receptors as documented in peer-reviewed cosmetic literature.
Typically Found In: Skin care formulations
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ cosmetic active
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1โ2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
1-2-hexanediol has an established safety and efficacy profile within the cosmetic regulatory framework at standard use concentrations.
Last Verified: Cosing database,1-2-hexanediol technical literature
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Ethylhexylglycerin
Common Name(s): Octylglycerin,2-ethylhexyl glycerol ether,sensiva sc 10
CAS Number: 70445-33-9
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides antimicrobial skin conditioning with deodorant activity and preservation system enhancement.
Why It's Used: Multifunctional clean beauty preservation active โ ethylhexylglycerin provides antimicrobial, deodorant, and skin conditioning in a single ingredient accepted in most natural cosmetic certification schemes.
How It Works: Glycerol ether provides antimicrobial via bacterial membrane phospholipid disruption. deodorant activity via reduction of underarm lipase enzyme activity (similar mechanism to triethyl citrate). skin conditioning from glycerol humectant component. synergistic with phenoxyethanol and diols.
Typically Found In: Natural preservation systems,deodorants,skin conditioning products
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ antimicrobial glycerol ether
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ0.5%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1โ2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Ethylhexylglycerin's deodorant mechanism is pharmacologically identical to triethyl citrate: both inhibit skin surface microbial lipase enzymes that convert odourless triglycerides to odorous free fatty acids. the glycerol ether structure of ethylhexylglycerin, combined with the 2-ethylhexyl chain, provides lipase inhibition similar to ester-based lipase inhibitors from a different chemical class.
Last Verified: Cosing database,schรผlke sensiva sc 10 technical data,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Gluconolactone
Common Name(s): D-gluconolactone,delta-gluconolactone
CAS Number: 90-80-2
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides the gentlest chemical exfoliation with simultaneous antioxidant, moisture retention, and barrier support.
Why It's Used: Preferred exfoliant for rosacea, eczema, sensitive skin, and post-procedure recovery where standard ahas cause unacceptable irritation.
How It Works: Hydrolyzes slowly on skin surface to gluconic acid providing gentle exfoliation. multiple hydroxyl groups enable water binding (humectant) and metal chelation (antioxidant).
Typically Found In: Sensitive skin exfoliants,rosacea treatments,eczema care,post-procedure recovery
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ polyhydroxy acid (pha)
Secondary Functions: Gentle exfoliation,antioxidant,humectant
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 5%โ15%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ fermentation or synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Fermentation-derived from glucose or synthetic. among the safest chemical exfoliants available.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: No photosensitization; no stinging; suitable for very sensitive skin.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes โ ideal for sensitive, reactive, rosacea, and eczema-prone skin; no photosensitization
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Exceptional safety profile. no photosensitization. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Ceramides,niacinamide,hyaluronic acid,soothing actives
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Phas have molecular weights 2โ3ร larger than ahas, limiting penetration to superficial layers. combined humectant and antioxidant properties make them uniquely well-tolerated while providing meaningful exfoliation.
Last Verified: Cosing database,green & yu (2003) pha review,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Phenoxyethanol
Common Name(s): 2-phenoxyethanol,rose ether,ethylene glycol monophenyl ether
CAS Number: 122-99-6
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Prevents microbial contamination and spoilage in cosmetic formulations.
Why It's Used: The benchmark cosmetic preservative โ eu-permitted up to 1%, effective against virtually all cosmetically relevant microorganisms, and excellent tolerability.
How It Works: Phenol ring provides broad antimicrobial activity via disruption of bacterial and fungal cell membranes and inhibition of enzymatic activity. effective against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, yeasts (candida), and molds (aspergillus). activity ph range: 3-9.
Typically Found In: All cosmetic formulations as primary preservative
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ broad-spectrum preservative
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ1% (eu max 1%)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Eu cosmetics regulation max 1%. sccs assessed as safe at โค1%. avoid use around eyes in baby products per some country regulations. ewg score: 4.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Phenoxyethanol's widespread adoption as the primary cosmetic preservative followed the phaseout of parabens from many formulations in the 2000s-2010s. despite having a comparable or better safety profile to parabens, it is often cited in 'free-from' formulations โ a consumer perception issue rather than a scientific safety concern.
Last Verified: Cosing database,sccs opinion on phenoxyethanol,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12