Below is every ingredient in Botanic Hearth Calendula Neem And Salicylic Acid Body Wash explained, its standout actives, and the side effects reported in research for those actives — analysed for Indian skin.
Flags derived from the ingredient list using dermatology reference data (fungal-acne substrate, comedogenicity, EU allergens). General guidance, not a diagnosis.
Answers are derived from the printed ingredient list and dermatology reference data — general guidance, not a diagnosis or a therapeutic claim.
Salicylic acid is a lipid-soluble beta-hydroxy acid that exfoliates the skin surface and penetrates sebaceous pores to loosen and dissolve keratin and debris. It is widely used to treat acne, blackheads, and conditions involving thickened or scaly skin.
Centella Asiatica (Cica) extract is a plant-derived ingredient rich in triterpenoids such as asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid, used in skincare for its soothing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-healing/barrier-supporting properties. It is commonly included in formulations aimed at calming sensitive, irritated, or compromised skin.
Matricaria Chamomilla (Chamomile) Flower Extract is a plant-derived ingredient used in skincare for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin-soothing properties, attributed to compounds like bisabolol, chamazulene, and flavonoids. It is commonly added to formulations intended to calm irritation and reduce redness in sensitive skin.
Melia Azadirachta (Neem) Leaf Extract is a plant-derived ingredient valued for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, often used in skincare targeting acne-prone or irritated skin. It contains compounds such as nimbidin, azadirachtin, and flavonoids that may help soothe and protect the skin.
Vitamin E (tocopherol) is a fat-soluble antioxidant used in skincare to protect cells from oxidative damage and to stabilize formulations against rancidity. It also functions as an emollient and helps support the skin barrier.
Aggregated from the active ingredients in this product.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Irritation or sensitivity | Very rare | Purified water itself is essentially inert; rare reactions are attributable to contaminants or accompanying ingredients rather than water. |
| Transepidermal water loss aggravation in compromised skin | Rare | Evaporation of water from products may transiently increase dryness in very compromised skin barriers if occlusives are absent. |
| Skin dryness and tightness | Common | Can strip natural lipids with frequent use, especially in leave-on or high-concentration formulas. |
| Mild skin irritation | Common | Concentration-dependent; more likely on sensitive or compromised skin barriers. |
| Eye irritation/stinging | Common | Can cause transient stinging on direct eye contact in rinse-off products. |
| Contact dermatitis | Uncommon | Irritant rather than typically allergic; usually resolves on discontinuation. |
| Allergic sensitization | Rare | True allergic contact reactions to the surfactant itself are infrequently reported. |
| Contact dermatitis / allergic reaction | Very rare | Allergic sensitization is uncommon; reactions may relate to residual monomers or other formulation components. |
| Temporary tightness or dryness | Uncommon | Film-forming effect can produce a sensation of skin tightness in some users. |
| Mild transient stinging or irritation | Uncommon | More likely at high concentrations or on compromised/broken skin. |
| Tacky or sticky skin feel | Common | A cosmetic sensation rather than an adverse reaction, more noticeable at higher concentrations. |
| Contact dermatitis or allergic reaction | Rare | True allergy to glycerin is uncommon; patch-test positivity is infrequent. |
| Skin dehydration in very low humidity | Rare | In very dry environments humectants may draw water from deeper skin layers if not paired with an occlusive. |
| Skin irritation | Uncommon | Generally well tolerated, but mild irritation can occur, particularly with high concentrations or compromised skin barrier. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Rare | Documented as a contact allergen in some patch-test studies, occasionally cross-reacting with other alkyl glucosides. |
| Eye irritation | Uncommon | May cause stinging or irritation on direct eye contact, relevant in cleanser and shampoo formulations. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
| Ingredient | What it does |
|---|---|
| Aqua Solvent / vehicle | Aqua (water) is the most common base ingredient in skincare formulations, serving as a solvent that dissolves water-soluble components and forms the medium for emulsions. It has no direct treatment activity and primarily contributes to texture, spreadability, and product delivery. |
| Sodium Alpha Olefin (C14-16) Sulfonate Anionic surfactant / cleansing agent | Sodium Alpha Olefin (C14-16) Sulfonate is a synthetic anionic surfactant used as a foaming and cleansing agent in rinse-off products such as body washes, shampoos, and cleansers. It produces abundant lather and helps emulsify and remove oils and dirt. |
| Sodium Acrylates Copolymer Thickener / film-forming stabilizer | Sodium Acrylates Copolymer is a synthetic anionic polymer used to thicken, stabilize, and improve the texture of cosmetic formulations, often forming a smooth film on the skin. It functions primarily as a rheology modifier and emulsion stabilizer rather than a treatment active. |
| Glycerin Humectant | Glycerin is a widely used humectant that attracts and retains water in the skin, helping to hydrate the stratum corneum and support barrier function. It is considered safe and well-tolerated across most skin types and concentrations. |
| Decyl Glucoside Surfactant/Cleanser | Decyl Glucoside is a mild, non-ionic surfactant derived from glucose and fatty alcohols, commonly used as a gentle cleansing and foaming agent in shampoos, facial cleansers, and baby care products. It is valued for its biodegradability and low irritation potential compared to harsher surfactants. |
| Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate Surfactant / cleansing agent | Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is an amino acid-derived anionic surfactant used in cleansers, shampoos and toothpastes to provide gentle foaming and cleansing. It is generally considered milder than traditional sulfate surfactants. |
| Cocamidopropyl Betaine Surfactant / foaming cleanser | Cocamidopropyl Betaine is an amphoteric surfactant derived from coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, used in cleansers, shampoos, and body washes to provide gentle foaming, viscosity, and to reduce the harshness of stronger anionic surfactants. It is widely regarded as mild but is a recognized contact allergen. |
| Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate Mild surfactant/cleansing agent | Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate is a gentle amino acid-derived (glycine and coconut fatty acid) anionic surfactant used in cleansers and shampoos to produce foam and remove dirt and oil. It is valued for its mildness and skin-friendly, near-neutral pH compared to harsher sulfate surfactants. |
| Propylene Glycol Humectant / solvent | Propylene glycol is a small glycol molecule widely used in skincare as a humectant, solvent, and penetration enhancer that helps attract water and dissolve other ingredients. It is considered a base/formulation ingredient rather than a therapeutic active. |
| PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate Emollient/surfactant | PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate is a polyethylene glycol derivative of glyceryl cocoate used as a mild nonionic surfactant, emollient, and emulsifier in cleansers and skincare formulations. It improves spreadability and helps solubilize oils while providing a gentle skin-conditioning effect. |
| Fragrance Fragrance/masking agent | Fragrance refers to a blend of natural or synthetic aromatic compounds added to skincare products to impart a pleasant scent or mask the odor of other ingredients. It serves a sensory and formulation purpose rather than a therapeutic one. |
| Sodium Chloride Thickener / viscosity adjuster | Sodium chloride (table salt) is commonly used in cosmetics as a thickening and viscosity-control agent, particularly in surfactant-based cleansers, and also acts as a mild abrasive in scrubs. It is generally well tolerated and considered a formulation ingredient rather than a treatment active. |
| Salicylic Acid Key active Beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) exfoliant / keratolytic | Salicylic acid is a lipid-soluble beta-hydroxy acid that exfoliates the skin surface and penetrates sebaceous pores to loosen and dissolve keratin and debris. It is widely used to treat acne, blackheads, and conditions involving thickened or scaly skin. |
| Sodium Hydroxide pH adjuster | Sodium hydroxide (lye) is a strong alkaline compound used in small amounts to adjust and stabilize the pH of cosmetic formulations. At regulated low concentrations in finished products it is considered safe, though it is corrosive in concentrated form. |
| Centella Asiatica (Cica) Extract Key active Soothing / antioxidant botanical extract | Centella Asiatica (Cica) extract is a plant-derived ingredient rich in triterpenoids such as asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid, used in skincare for its soothing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-healing/barrier-supporting properties. It is commonly included in formulations aimed at calming sensitive, irritated, or compromised skin. |
| Matricaria Chamomilla (Chamomile) Flower Extract Key active Soothing/anti-inflammatory botanical extract | Matricaria Chamomilla (Chamomile) Flower Extract is a plant-derived ingredient used in skincare for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin-soothing properties, attributed to compounds like bisabolol, chamazulene, and flavonoids. It is commonly added to formulations intended to calm irritation and reduce redness in sensitive skin. |
| Melia Azadirachta (Neem) Leaf Extract Key active Antimicrobial/antioxidant botanical | Melia Azadirachta (Neem) Leaf Extract is a plant-derived ingredient valued for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, often used in skincare targeting acne-prone or irritated skin. It contains compounds such as nimbidin, azadirachtin, and flavonoids that may help soothe and protect the skin. |
| Sodium Gluconate Chelating agent / skin-conditioning | Sodium gluconate is the sodium salt of gluconic acid used in skincare primarily as a chelating agent to bind metal ions and stabilize formulations, with secondary humectant and skin-conditioning properties. It is generally considered a base/formulation ingredient rather than an active treatment. |
| Vitamin E Key active Antioxidant / emollient | Vitamin E (tocopherol) is a fat-soluble antioxidant used in skincare to protect cells from oxidative damage and to stabilize formulations against rancidity. It also functions as an emollient and helps support the skin barrier. |
| Colour Colorant | Colour additives are pigments or dyes added to cosmetic and skincare formulations to impart or modify product appearance. They serve an aesthetic, non-therapeutic role and do not affect skin physiology. |
| Methylchloroisothiazolinone Preservative | Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) is a synthetic isothiazolinone preservative used at very low concentrations to prevent microbial growth in cosmetics and personal care products, often combined with methylisothiazolinone. It is typically restricted to rinse-off products due to its sensitizing potential. |
| Methylisothiazolinone Preservative | Methylisothiazolinone (MI) is a synthetic isothiazolinone preservative used in cosmetics and personal care products to prevent microbial growth. It is effective at low concentrations but is recognized as a significant contact allergen. |
| Sodium Benzoate Preservative | Sodium benzoate is a salt of benzoic acid used as a preservative in cosmetic and skincare formulations to inhibit the growth of bacteria, yeast, and fungi, particularly in acidic products. It is most effective at a pH below 5. |
Key active = does the main work. Ingredient explanations are drawn from public databases & literature.
Peer-reviewed papers on the active ingredients in this product, via PubMed.