Below is every ingredient in Makeup Revolution Skincare 2Percent Salicylic Acid Bha Anti Blemish Serum 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.
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. |
| Mild skin irritation | Uncommon | Transient stinging or redness, more likely on compromised or sensitive skin. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Rare | Sensitization is infrequent; propanediol is generally considered low-risk for allergy. |
| Enhanced penetration of co-formulated irritants | Uncommon | As a penetration enhancer it may increase absorption and irritation potential of other actives. |
| Eye irritation | Uncommon | Surfactant properties can cause stinging or irritation on direct ocular contact. |
| Enhanced penetration of other ingredients | Common | Not an adverse effect per se, but as a solubilizer it may increase absorption of co-formulated substances. |
| Skin dryness or tightness | Common | Especially with alcohol-containing distillates or frequent use on dry/sensitive skin. |
| Mild irritation or stinging | Uncommon | More likely on broken or compromised skin or with high tannin content. |
| Worsening of eczema or barrier disruption | Rare | Repeated use of astringent formulas may impair the skin barrier in predisposed individuals. |
| 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. |
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. |
| Propanediol Humectant/solvent | Propanediol is a plant-derived glycol used in skincare as a humectant, solvent, and penetration enhancer that improves moisturization and the spreadability of formulations. It also helps solubilize other ingredients and can boost the efficacy of certain actives. |
| Polysorbate 20 Emulsifier / solubilizer | Polysorbate 20 is a nonionic surfactant derived from sorbitol and lauric acid, used in skincare to solubilize fragrances and essential oils and to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions. It functions primarily as a formulation aid rather than a treatment active. |
| Hamamelis Virginiana Water Astringent/Toner | Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water is a plant-derived distillate used in skincare as an astringent, toning, and soothing agent. It contains tannins and other polyphenols that can temporarily tighten skin and reduce surface oiliness. |
| 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. |
| Butylene Glycol Humectant / solvent | Butylene glycol is a small diol commonly used in skincare as a humectant, solvent, and viscosity-reducing agent that helps dissolve other ingredients and improve skin feel. It is widely regarded as safe and non-sensitizing for the majority of users at cosmetic concentrations. |
| 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. |
| Alcohol Denat Solvent/penetration enhancer | Alcohol Denat (denatured ethanol) is a volatile solvent used in skincare to dissolve other ingredients, improve product spreadability and absorption, and create a quick-drying, lightweight feel. It is a formulation aid rather than a therapeutic active. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Parfum Fragrance | Parfum (fragrance) is a blend of aromatic compounds added to cosmetic products to impart a pleasant scent or mask the base odor of other ingredients. It serves a sensory/formulation purpose rather than providing any skin benefit. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Ethylhexylglycerin Preservative booster / skin-conditioning agent | Ethylhexylglycerin is a multifunctional glyceryl ether used in cosmetics primarily as a preservative-enhancing agent and emollient, often paired with phenoxyethanol to broaden antimicrobial efficacy. It also acts as a deodorizing agent and humectant in skincare formulations. |
| Disodium EDTA Chelating agent | Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent used in cosmetics to bind metal ions, improving product stability, preventing rancidity, and enhancing the efficacy of preservatives. It is a formulation/base ingredient rather than a treatment active. |
| Alcohol Solvent / penetration enhancer | Alcohol (typically ethanol or denatured alcohol) is used in skincare as a solvent, antimicrobial agent, and to improve product spreadability and rapid drying. It also enhances penetration of other ingredients and gives a lightweight feel to formulations. |
| Butylphenyl Methylpropional Fragrance/synthetic fragrance ingredient | Butylphenyl Methylpropional (also known as Lilial) is a synthetic fragrance compound historically used to impart a floral, lily-of-the-valley scent to cosmetics and personal care products. It has been restricted or banned in some markets (e.g., the EU) due to safety concerns regarding skin sensitization and reproductive toxicity. |
| Linalool Fragrance/masking agent | Linalool is a naturally occurring terpene alcohol found in lavender, coriander, and many other plants, used in skincare primarily as a fragrance component. It readily oxidizes upon exposure to air, forming sensitizing hydroperoxides. |
| Hexyl Cinnamal Fragrance ingredient | Hexyl Cinnamal is a synthetic aromatic compound used as a fragrance and masking agent in cosmetic and skincare formulations, valued for its mild floral, jasmine-like scent. It is one of the 26 fragrance allergens required to be labeled in the EU. |
| Citronellol Fragrance ingredient | Citronellol is a naturally occurring monoterpene alcohol used as a fragrance and flavoring agent, providing a rose-like, citrusy scent in cosmetics and personal care products. It is found in essential oils such as rose, geranium, and citronella. |
| Geraniol Fragrance/aroma compound | Geraniol is a naturally occurring terpene alcohol used in cosmetics primarily as a fragrance ingredient and for its pleasant rose-like scent. It also has mild antioxidant and antimicrobial properties but is included mainly for olfactory rather than therapeutic purposes. |
| Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone Fragrance ingredient | Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone is a synthetic fragrance compound with a sweet, violet-like floral scent used to impart or enhance aroma in cosmetic and skincare formulations. It has no therapeutic skin benefit and serves purely an olfactory/sensory role. |
| Hydroxycitronellal Fragrance ingredient | Hydroxycitronellal is a synthetic aromatic aldehyde used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics and personal care products, valued for its sweet, floral, lily-of-the-valley scent. It serves no skin-treatment purpose and functions purely to add fragrance. |
| Eugenol Fragrance/flavoring agent | Eugenol is a naturally occurring phenolic compound found in clove oil and other essential oils, used in cosmetics primarily as a fragrance ingredient and for its mild antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. It is a recognized contact allergen and is one of the 26 fragrance allergens requiring declaration under EU regulations. |
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.