
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Face Wash with 4 key active ingredients
FEATURES
Eliminates acne-causing bacteria, unclogs pores, controls sebum production, tightens pores, reduces spots and blemishes, prevents pimples and breakouts
BEST FOR
oily
CHECKS
Does not contain information on fragrance, alcohol, parabens, sulfates explicitly
Who Is It For?
All Genders No Specific Age Range MentionedWhat Does It Help With?
Acne Pimples Oily Skin Spots BlemishesBudget
Affordable (under $30)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What Nykaa E retail limited Says
Product Description:
1% Salicylic Acid for eliminating acne-causing bacteria and unclogging pores. Green Tea Extract rich in antioxidants for controlling sebum production. Willow Bark and Witch Hazel Extracts tighten pores, reduce spots and blemishes. Neem Extract prevents pimples and breakouts.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
salicylic-acid,green-tea-extract,willow-bark-extract,witch-hazel-extract,neem-extract
Key Ingredients
1% Salicylic Acid, Green Tea Extract, Willow Bark Extract, Witch Hazel Extract, Neem Extract
Ingredients Details
Neem Extract
Common Name(s): Neem leaf extract,indian lilac extract
CAS Number: 84696-19-5
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides nimbin anti-inflammatory and nimbidin antimicrobial activity for acne and inflammatory skin conditions.
Why It's Used: Multi-function ayurvedic anti-acne and anti-inflammatory from neem with comprehensive antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity.
How It Works: Nimbin inhibits phospholipase a2 for arachidonic acid cascade anti-inflammatory activity. nimbidin provides antimicrobial activity vs p. acnes and s. aureus. nimbidiol inhibits histamine release for anti-allergic activity.
Typically Found In: Anti-acne products,ayurvedic formulations,antimicrobial skin care
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ soothing / anti-inflammatory
Secondary Functions: Redness reduction,anti-inflammatory,calming
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ5%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ from azadirachta indica leaves
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived extract or synthetic.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; ideal for reactive and sensitive skin.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes โ particularly recommended for sensitive skin
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Ceramides,panthenol,allantoin,hyaluronic acid,centella asiatica
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Neem's phospholipase a2 inhibition provides anti-inflammatory activity at the most upstream point of the arachidonic acid cascade โ before arachidonic acid is even released from membrane phospholipids, preventing the entire downstream cox and lox inflammatory pathway. this upstream inhibition provides theoretically more comprehensive inflammation prevention than cox or lox inhibitors acting downstream.
Last Verified: Cosing database,subapriya & nagini neem review
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
Willow Bark Extract
Common Name(s): Willow bark extract extract
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides antioxidant protection, soothing anti-inflammatory effects, and skin-conditioning benefits through plant-derived polyphenols and phytochemicals.
Why It's Used: Plant extracts concentrate bioactive phytochemicals evolved for environmental protection โ uv, microbial, and oxidative stressors โ that translate to skin benefits.
How It Works: Polyphenols (flavonoids, phenolic acids) inhibit nf-ฮบb-mediated inflammatory signaling, scavenge reactive oxygen species through electron donation, and chelate pro-oxidant metal ions to reduce oxidative skin damage.
Typically Found In: Serums,toners,moisturizers,masks,essences
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Botanical extracts
Secondary Functions: Antioxidant,anti-inflammatory
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived extract; no animal components.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1899-12-31 00:00:00 -0800
Sensitivity Concerns: Low sensitization potential at recommended use concentrations.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Well-characterized cosmetic ingredient with established safety profile. generally non-irritating at typical use concentrations. suitable for leave-on and rinse-off cosmetics.
Works Well With: Niacinamide,hyaluronic acid,vitamin c,ceramides
Avoid Combining With: Strong oxidizing agents
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Plant secondary metabolites (flavonoids, terpenes, phenolic acids) are biosynthesized as defense compounds against uv, herbivores, and pathogens. their anti-inflammatory activity typically derives from competitive inhibition of cox-2 and 5-lox enzymes (ic50 1โ50 ยตm), while antioxidant activity involves single electron transfer (set) and hydrogen atom transfer (hat) mechanisms with structure-dependent rate constants.
Last Verified: Cosing eu database; pcpc cosmetic ingredient safety reviews; phytochemical and ethnobotanical literature
Primary Sources: 2025-01-15