Below is every ingredient in Dermistry 2Percent Salicylic Acid Anti Acne Foaming Face 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.
Salix Alba (Willow Bark) Bark Extract is a botanical source of salicin, which can convert to salicylic acid, providing mild exfoliating, soothing, and anti-inflammatory benefits in skincare formulations. It is often used as a gentler natural alternative to synthetic salicylic acid for acne-prone and oily 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.
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a water-soluble active that supports the skin barrier, regulates sebum, brightens hyperpigmentation, and reduces inflammation. It is widely tolerated across skin types and used in concentrations commonly ranging from 2% to 10%.
Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid used topically to treat acne and rosacea, working through antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and comedolytic actions. It also inhibits tyrosinase, helping reduce hyperpigmentation.
Zinc PCA is the zinc salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid used in skincare to help control excess sebum, support antimicrobial activity, and provide mild hydration. It is commonly included in products targeting oily and acne-prone skin.
Aggregated from the active ingredients in this product.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skin irritation or sensitivity | Very rare | Purified water is essentially inert; reactions are attributable to other formula components, not the water itself. |
| Transient skin barrier disruption from excessive exposure | Rare | Prolonged or repeated wetting can contribute to mild barrier compromise, but this relates to usage patterns rather than the ingredient. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Uncommon | A notable cause of allergic contact dermatitis, often attributed to impurities (amidoamine, 3-dimethylaminopropylamine) rather than the molecule itself; named Allergen of the Year in 2004. |
| Skin or eye irritation | Uncommon | Mild stinging or irritation, more likely in concentrated or rinse-off products and around the eyes. |
| Cross-reactivity with related surfactants | Rare | Patch-test reactions may overlap with chemically related amphoteric or amine-containing surfactants. |
| Skin dryness | Common | Can strip natural lipids with frequent or prolonged use, especially in higher concentrations. |
| Skin and scalp irritation | Common | Mild to moderate irritation possible, particularly on sensitive or compromised skin. |
| Eye irritation/stinging | Common | Reported in patch and use tests; concentration-dependent. |
| Mild skin irritation | Rare | Occasional transient redness or stinging, typically in sensitive or compromised skin. |
| Stickiness or tackiness on skin | Uncommon | Cosmetic feel issue rather than a true adverse reaction, more noticeable at higher concentrations. |
| Skin irritation and dryness | Common | Mild stinging, redness, or peeling, especially at higher concentrations or with frequent use. |
| Contact dermatitis | Uncommon | Localized allergic or irritant reaction in sensitive individuals. |
| Increased photosensitivity | Uncommon | As with other BHAs, may heighten sensitivity to UV exposure; sunscreen advised. |
| Salicylate sensitivity reaction | Rare | Individuals allergic to salicylates may experience hives or systemic reactions. |
| Systemic salicylate absorption (salicylism) | Very rare | Theoretically possible with extensive application over large or broken skin areas. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
| Ingredient | What it does |
|---|---|
| Purified Water Solvent/vehicle | Purified water is a highly filtered, deionized water used as the primary solvent and base in most skincare formulations. It dissolves water-soluble ingredients and provides the medium in which other components are dispersed. |
| 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 C14-16 Alpha Olefin Sulfonate Surfactant/cleansing agent | Sodium C14-16 Alpha Olefin Sulfonate is an anionic surfactant used as a primary cleansing and foaming agent in shampoos, body washes, and other rinse-off cleansers. It produces high foam and effectively removes oil and dirt. |
| Sorbitol Humectant | Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol (polyol) used in skincare as a humectant and texture enhancer, drawing moisture into the skin and improving product spreadability. It is considered a base/formulation ingredient rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Sodium Salicylate Exfoliant / preservative | Sodium salicylate is the sodium salt of salicylic acid, used in skincare as a beta-hydroxy acid exfoliant and as a preservative or pH-adjusting agent. It offers mild keratolytic and anti-inflammatory effects similar to salicylic acid but with greater water solubility. |
| 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. |
| Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer Rheology modifier / emulsion stabilizer | Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic crosslinked acrylic polymer used to thicken, gel, and stabilize emulsions in skincare and cosmetic formulations. It helps suspend ingredients and provides a smooth, consistent texture without acting as a treatment active. |
| Salix Alba (Willow Bark) Bark Extract Key active Exfoliant / anti-inflammatory | Salix Alba (Willow Bark) Bark Extract is a botanical source of salicin, which can convert to salicylic acid, providing mild exfoliating, soothing, and anti-inflammatory benefits in skincare formulations. It is often used as a gentler natural alternative to synthetic salicylic acid for acne-prone and oily skin. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Phenoxyethanol Preservative | Phenoxyethanol is a widely used broad-spectrum preservative that protects cosmetic and skincare formulations from bacterial and fungal contamination. It is typically used at concentrations up to 1% and serves as a formulation/base ingredient rather than an active treatment. |
| Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside Surfactant/cleanser | Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside is a mild, biodegradable nonionic surfactant derived from coconut/palm-based fatty alcohols and glucose, used as a gentle cleansing and foaming agent. It is valued for its low irritation potential and suitability for sensitive-skin and baby cleansing formulations. |
| Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate Mild surfactant/cleansing agent | Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate is a gentle, taurine-derived anionic surfactant used in cleansers and shampoos to provide foaming and cleansing while being milder than sulfate-based surfactants. It is generally well tolerated and often chosen for sensitive-skin formulations. |
| Niacinamide Key active Cell-communicating / barrier-repair active | Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a water-soluble active that supports the skin barrier, regulates sebum, brightens hyperpigmentation, and reduces inflammation. It is widely tolerated across skin types and used in concentrations commonly ranging from 2% to 10%. |
| Azelaic Acid Key active Anti-inflammatory / keratolytic active | Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid used topically to treat acne and rosacea, working through antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and comedolytic actions. It also inhibits tyrosinase, helping reduce hyperpigmentation. |
| Zinc Pca Key active Sebum-regulating, antimicrobial | Zinc PCA is the zinc salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid used in skincare to help control excess sebum, support antimicrobial activity, and provide mild hydration. It is commonly included in products targeting oily and acne-prone skin. |
| Xanthan Gum Thickener/stabilizer | Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide produced by bacterial fermentation, used in skincare as a thickening, gelling, and emulsion-stabilizing agent. It improves product texture and suspension of ingredients without contributing active treatment effects. |
| Cellulose Beads Exfoliant / texturizer | Cellulose Beads are biodegradable, plant-derived spherical particles used in skincare formulations primarily for gentle physical exfoliation and to improve product texture and slip. They serve as an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic microplastic beads. |
| Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate Mild amphoteric surfactant / cleansing agent | Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate is a coconut-derived amphoteric surfactant used in cleansers, shampoos, and body washes to provide gentle cleansing, foam, and to reduce the irritation potential of harsher anionic surfactants. It is valued for mildness in baby and sensitive-skin formulations. |
| Sodium pH adjuster / electrolyte | Sodium, typically present in skincare as sodium salts (e.g., sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, sodium citrate), functions as a pH adjuster, thickener, or osmotic/electrolyte agent rather than a standalone active. It helps stabilize formulations and maintain skin barrier ion balance. |
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.