A creamy, non-foaming cleanser formulated with Salicylic Acid to target acne and blackheads, enhanced with Menthol for a stimulating, cooling sensation.
This formula is built around Salicylic Acid, a gold-standard Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) excellent for unclogging pores and treating acne. Unlike harsh foaming gels, this cleanser uses a base of Cetyl Alcohol and Glycerin, creating a creamier texture that helps maintain the skin barrier while exfoliating. The addition of PPG-15 Stearyl Ether aids in the delivery of the active ingredient.
The primary safety concerns are Menthol and Fragrance. Menthol is a potent skin sensitizer that can cause irritation, redness, and dryness, especially on sensitive facial skin or around the eyes. Fragrance is also a common allergen. While Salicylic Acid is safe, it can increase sun sensitivity, requiring the use of SPF.
This is an effective cream cleanser for acne-prone skin, offering a good balance between exfoliation and moisture retention thanks to fatty alcohols and glycerin. However, the inclusion of Menthol and Fragrance makes it unsuitable for sensitive or reactive skin types, limiting its universal appeal. It is best strictly for those with oily, resilient skin who enjoy a cooling sensation.
This formulation represents a classic, medicated approach to cleansing, designed specifically to address the needs of acne-prone and oily skin. Unlike many aggressive acne washes that utilize harsh sulfates to strip the skin, this product employs a base of Cetyl Alcohol and Glycerin. This creates a texture that is rich, creamy, and lotion-like rather than a foaming gel. This is a significant advantage for maintaining the skin’s moisture barrier, as it allows the active ingredients to work without completely depleting the skin of its natural lipids.
The star ingredient is Salicylic Acid, a Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA). Because it is oil-soluble, Salicylic Acid is capable of penetrating deep into the pore lining to dissolve the mix of sebum and dead skin cells that cause blackheads and whiteheads. It is widely considered the gold standard for chemical exfoliation in acne treatments. The inclusion of PPG-15 Stearyl Ether acts as an emollient solvent that helps to reduce the stinging potential of the acid while aiding its deposition on the skin, ensuring the active ingredient functions effectively.
However, the sensory experience of this product is heavily dictated by Menthol. This ingredient provides an immediate, intense cooling and tingling sensation upon application. While many users associate this feeling with a deep clean, it is important to note that Menthol acts primarily as a counter-irritant and sensory agent. It does not actually clean the pores; rather, it stimulates nerve endings. For robust skin, this feels refreshing, but for delicate skin, it can trigger inflammation.
The presence of Fragrance alongside Menthol significantly raises the risk profile for irritation. While the emulsifiers like Polysorbate 60 and Steareth-21 ensure the product rinses away cleanly, the leave-behind scent and cooling agents may disrupt the acid mantle of sensitive users. Consequently, while this is a potent tool for clearing congestion in resilient, oily skin types, it is likely too harsh for those with conditions like eczema or rosacea.
Ultimately, this is a high-efficacy cleanser for teenage or adult acne where the primary goal is pore clearance, provided the user does not have a history of contact dermatitis or sensitivity to cooling agents.
🧪 Salicylic Acid / 水杨酸
Purpose: Exfoliant, Anti-acne agent
Concerns: Can cause dryness, peeling, or irritation, especially for sensitive skin.
Notes: A Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) that penetrates oil to unclog pores.
🧪 Water / 水
Purpose: Solvent
Concerns: None
Notes: The base of the formulation.
🧪 Glycerin / 甘油
Purpose: Humectant
Concerns: None
Notes: Attracts moisture to the skin to prevent dryness.
🧪 Cetyl Alcohol / 鲸蜡醇
Purpose: Emollient, Thickener, Stabilizer
Concerns: Rarely causes irritation; generally safe.
Notes: A fatty alcohol that conditions skin and thickens the product; distinct from drying alcohols.
🧪 PPG-15 Stearyl Ether / PPG-15 硬脂醇醚
Purpose: Emollient, Solvent
Concerns: None significant.
Notes: Helps solubilize Salicylic Acid and leaves a silky feel on the skin.
🧪 Xanthan Gum / 黄原胶
Purpose: Thickener, Stabilizer
Concerns: None
Notes: Natural sugar-based polymer used to adjust viscosity.
🧪 Polysorbate 60 / 聚山梨醇酯-60
Purpose: Emulsifier, Solubilizer
Concerns: Generally safe in cosmetic concentrations.
Notes: Helps mix oil and water.
🧪 Steareth-21 / 硬脂醇聚醚-21
Purpose: Emulsifier
Concerns: None significant.
Notes: Works with other emulsifiers to stabilize the formula.
🧪 Potassium Cetyl Phosphate / 鲸蜡醇磷酸酯钾
Purpose: Surfactant, Emulsifier
Concerns: Generally mild.
Notes: A cleaning agent that helps lift dirt and oil.
🧪 Menthol / 薄荷脑
Purpose: Cooling agent, Fragrance
Concerns: Can be sensitizing or irritating to skin and eyes.
Notes: Provides a refreshing, cooling sensation.
🧪 Disodium EDTA / 乙二胺四乙酸二钠
Purpose: Chelating agent
Concerns: None generally.
Notes: Binds metal ions to maintain product stability and boost preservative efficacy.
🧪 Fragrance / 香精
Purpose: Scent
Concerns: Common cause of allergic reactions or irritation in sensitive skin.
Notes: Adds a pleasant smell to mask chemical odors.
🧪 Sodium Hydroxide / 氢氧化钠
Purpose: pH Adjuster
Concerns: Caustic in raw form, but safe when neutralized in the product.
Notes: Used to adjust the pH level to ensure the Salicylic Acid works effectively.