
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Herbal Face Gel with Glycolic and 1% Salicylic Acid
FEATURES
BEST FOR
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Who Is It For?
What Does It Help With?
Budget
Affordable (under $30)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
Salicylic Acid 1%, Goat Willow, Cucumber, Sugarcane, Liquorice, Pomegranate, Mulberry, Lemon, Oats, Grapes, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Glycerine
Key Ingredients
glycolic-acid, salicylic-acid
Ingredients Details
Glycerine
Common Name(s): Glycerin,universal humectant,water-binding skin conditioning
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Attracts and retains moisture in the sc, improves skin barrier function at low concentrations, provides gentle keratolytic softening, and acts as a co-solvent for water-soluble actives.
Why It's Used: The reference humectant โ lowest cost, best safety profile, universal formulation compatibility, and present naturally in the sc via lipase-mediated glycerolipid hydrolysis makes glycerin the industry standard against which all humectants are benchmarked.
How It Works: Three hydroxyl groups form 6 h-bonds with water molecules per glycerol unit โ the highest oh-group density per carbon of any commercial humectant. glycerin also down-regulates epidermal serine proteases that overactivate in dry sc, improving desquamation and barrier integrity.
Typically Found In: All cosmetics,universal
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ humectant
Secondary Functions: Tewl reduction,skin plumping
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ40%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Synthetic or naturally derived. excellent aqueous solubility.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; suitable for all skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Ceramides,emollients,occlusives,glycerin,hyaluronic acid
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Epidermal lipases hydrolyse sc glycerophospholipids during cornification, releasing glycerol that contributes to the natural nmf โ topical glycerin directly supplements this endogenous sc humectant pool.
Last Verified: Cosing database,glycerin universal humectant review
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Lemon
Common Name(s): Lemon,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 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
Lemon has an established safety profile within the cosmetic regulatory framework at standard use concentrations.
Last Verified: Cosing database,lemon technical literature
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Salicylic Acid
Common Name(s): Bha,2-hydroxybenzoic acid,orthohydroxybenzoic acid,willow bark acid
CAS Number: 69-72-7
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Salicylic acid exfoliates the skin surface and inside pores, dissolves the 'glue' holding dead skin cells together, reduces sebum production, and combats acne-causing bacteria.
Why It's Used: Its oil solubility makes it uniquely effective at penetrating pores and dissolving sebum plugs โ a function that water-soluble ahas cannot perform. it is the preferred exfoliant for oily, acne-prone, and congested skin.
How It Works: Salicylic acid disrupts desmosomal bonds between corneocytes, promoting exfoliation. its oil solubility allows it to penetrate the sebaceous follicle, dissolving sebum and dead cells. it also has anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis.
Typically Found In: Cleansers,toners,serums,spot treatments,masks,chemical peels,anti-dandruff shampoos,acne treatments
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ beta hydroxy acid (bha)
Secondary Functions: Anti-acne,anti-dandruff,keratolytic
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%โ2% (otc acne treatment in us); up to 30% in professional chemical peels
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetic or willow bark derived
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Naturally occurring in willow bark (salix alba) and wintergreen oil. commercially produced synthetically via kolbe-schmitt reaction for cosmetic use.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 3/5 โ moderate; can cause dryness, peeling, and irritation, especially at higher concentrations
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic; actually anti-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Can cause irritation, dryness, and sun sensitivity. avoid contact with eyes. not recommended during pregnancy at high concentrations. can be drying โ follow with moisturizer.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Use with caution โ start with lower concentrations and frequency; may not be suitable for reactive or rosacea-prone skin
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Safe at otc concentrations (0.5โ2%). regulated as a drug in some countries (us: fda category i acne treatment). avoid in pregnancy at high concentrations.
Works Well With: Niacinamide,zinc,tea tree oil,benzoyl peroxide (at different times),hyaluronic acid (to counteract dryness)
Avoid Combining With: High concentrations of retinol (cumulative irritation),multiple exfoliating acids simultaneously,benzoyl peroxide in same step (can increase irritation)
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Salicylic acid is a member of the salicylate family and shares structural similarity with aspirin. its anti-inflammatory mechanism mirrors aspirin's cox inhibition pathway, making it uniquely effective for inflammatory acne.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,us fda acne monograph,journal of the american academy of dermatology
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Vitamin C
Common Name(s): Vitamin c,cosmetic active,established function
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Delivers characteristic cosmetic function โ skin conditioning, antioxidant protection, active biological benefit, or formulation function โ 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
Vitamin c has an established safety and efficacy profile within the cosmetic regulatory framework at standard use concentrations.
Last Verified: Cosing database,vitamin c technical literature
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12