Below is every ingredient in 1% Salicylic Acid Foaming Daily Face Wash with Salicylic Acid, Zinc PCA & PHA - 100 ml 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.
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.
Allantoin is a naturally derived or synthetically produced compound used in skincare for its soothing, moisturizing, and keratolytic (skin-softening) properties. It promotes cell proliferation and helps calm irritation, commonly appearing in creams, lotions, and after-sun products.
Capryloyl Glycine is a lipoamino acid formed from caprylic acid and glycine, used in skincare for its mild antimicrobial, sebum-regulating, and conditioning properties. It is commonly included in formulations targeting oily or acne-prone skin and as a deodorizing or preservative-boosting agent.
Sarcosine is an amino acid derivative (N-methylglycine) used in skincare primarily to help regulate sebum production and reduce skin oiliness, and it also serves as a building block for milder surfactants like sodium sarcosinate. It is most commonly incorporated into formulations targeting oily and acne-prone 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. |
| 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. |
| Mucosal or scalp stinging | Rare | Transient and typically resolves on rinsing. |
| Mild transient irritation or stinging | Rare | Uncommon and typically associated with overall formulation rather than the ingredient itself. |
| Contact allergy/sensitization | Very rare | Few if any documented cases; sugar-derived humectants have low allergenic potential. |
| Sticky or tacky skin feel | Uncommon | A cosmetic texture issue at higher concentrations, not a true adverse health effect. |
| Mild skin irritation | Rare | Occasional transient redness or stinging, typically in sensitive or compromised skin. |
| Surface tackiness or buildup | Uncommon | Cosmetic effect from humectant residue rather than a true adverse reaction. |
| Skin irritation | Uncommon | Generally well tolerated, but mild irritation can occur, particularly with high concentrations or compromised skin barrier. |
| Eye irritation | Uncommon | May cause stinging or irritation on direct eye contact, relevant in cleanser and shampoo formulations. |
| Mild skin or eye irritation | Uncommon | More likely at higher concentrations or with prolonged contact; generally well tolerated. |
| Dryness or disruption of skin barrier | Uncommon | Possible with frequent use, though milder than stronger sulfate surfactants. |
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. |
| 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. |
| Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine Amphoteric surfactant / cleansing agent | Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a mild amphoteric surfactant derived from coconut fatty acids, used in cleansers, shampoos, and body washes to provide gentle foaming, cleansing, and foam-boosting properties. It is often combined with primary surfactants to reduce overall irritancy. |
| Maltooligosyl Glucoside Humectant / film-former | Maltooligosyl Glucoside is a plant-derived oligosaccharide blend used in skincare as a humectant and protective film-former, often paired with hydrogenated starch hydrolysate to support skin hydration and barrier conditioning. It is generally regarded as a mild, well-tolerated formulation ingredient rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate Humectant | Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate is a sugar alcohol mixture derived from hydrolyzed and hydrogenated starch, used in skincare to attract and retain moisture and to improve texture. It functions primarily as a humectant and skin-conditioning agent. |
| 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. |
| Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate Mild surfactant/cleansing agent | Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate is a gentle anionic surfactant derived from sulfosuccinic acid, used in cleansers and shampoos to produce foam and remove dirt and oil. It is valued for being milder and less irritating than harsher sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Allantoin Key active Soothing/skin-conditioning agent | Allantoin is a naturally derived or synthetically produced compound used in skincare for its soothing, moisturizing, and keratolytic (skin-softening) properties. It promotes cell proliferation and helps calm irritation, commonly appearing in creams, lotions, and after-sun products. |
| Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate Mild surfactant/cleansing agent | Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate is a gentle, coconut-derived anionic surfactant widely used in syndet cleansing bars and facial cleansers to produce a creamy lather while being milder than traditional soaps. It cleanses by emulsifying oils and debris with relatively low irritation potential. |
| Coco-Glucoside Mild surfactant/cleanser | Coco Glucoside is a gentle, plant-derived nonionic surfactant (an alkyl polyglucoside made from coconut fatty alcohols and glucose) used as a cleansing and foaming agent in face washes, shampoos, and body cleansers. It is valued for its mildness, biodegradability, and good skin and eye tolerance compared with harsher surfactants. |
| Glyceryl Oleate Emollient / emulsifier | Glyceryl oleate is a monoglyceride ester of glycerin and oleic acid used in skincare as an emollient, skin-conditioning agent, and nonionic co-emulsifier. It helps stabilize emulsions, soften skin, and support the lipid barrier. |
| Glucono Delta Lactone PHA / chelating agent | Glucono Delta Lactone is a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that hydrolyzes to gluconic acid, providing gentle exfoliation, humectant, and antioxidant benefits while also acting as a chelating agent and pH adjuster in formulations. It is often considered milder and less irritating than alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid. |
| Capryloyl Glycine Key active Antimicrobial/sebum-regulating amino acid derivative | Capryloyl Glycine is a lipoamino acid formed from caprylic acid and glycine, used in skincare for its mild antimicrobial, sebum-regulating, and conditioning properties. It is commonly included in formulations targeting oily or acne-prone skin and as a deodorizing or preservative-boosting agent. |
| Sarcosine Key active Sebum regulator / antimicrobial agent | Sarcosine is an amino acid derivative (N-methylglycine) used in skincare primarily to help regulate sebum production and reduce skin oiliness, and it also serves as a building block for milder surfactants like sodium sarcosinate. It is most commonly incorporated into formulations targeting oily and acne-prone skin. |
| Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract Antioxidant/antimicrobial botanical extract | Cinnamomum Zeylanicum (Ceylon cinnamon) bark extract is a plant-derived ingredient used in skincare for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and mild astringent properties, primarily due to cinnamaldehyde and polyphenol content. It is sometimes included for purported skin-conditioning and anti-inflammatory effects. |
| DMDM Hydantoin Preservative (antimicrobial, formaldehyde-releaser) | DMDM Hydantoin is a formaldehyde-releasing preservative used in cosmetics and personal care products to prevent microbial growth and extend shelf life. It works by slowly releasing small amounts of formaldehyde into the formulation. |
| 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 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. |
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.