Oil-Free Acne Scrub

Equate

Where to buy Possibly in stock

About this product

The Equate Oil-Free Acne Scrub is a exfoliating scrubs & peeling gel. Our analysis of its 35 ingredients (26 low-risk) rates it Excellent (94/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone and dry skin. Heads up: it contains fragrance, which can irritate sensitive or reactive skin.

Vegan-friendly Reef-safe

Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.

At a glance

Type
Exfoliating Scrubs & Peeling Gel
Ingredients
35
Low-risk
26
Fragrance
Contains fragrance
Origin
United States

The evidence

Quick Product Notes

Paraben-Free Sulfate-Free Alcohol-Free Silicone-Free EU Allergen-Free Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Safe

Notable Effects & Ingredients

No Notable Effects & Ingredients

Ingredients Related to Skin Types

Good   Bad — tap a skin type to see which ingredients · estimated from ingredient functions
Dry Skin 8/8
Good for dry skin
C12-15 Alkyl Lactate Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate Stearyl Stearate Butylene Glycol Glycerin Propylene Glycol Jojoba Esters Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Caution for dry skin
Glycerin Salicylic Acid Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate Acrylates Copolymer Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Sodium Hydroxide Polysorbate 20 Benzalkonium Chloride
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin 2/0
Good for oily/acne-prone skin
Salicylic Acid Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Sensitive Skin 5/10
Good for sensitive skin
Ascorbyl Palmitate Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract Glycerin Jojoba Esters Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Caution for sensitive skin
Sodium Chloride Agar Ascorbyl Palmitate Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract Butylene Glycol Glycerin Propylene Glycol Salicylic Acid Citric Acid Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Ingredients list

35 total
Lower hazard (1) Higher hazard (5)
All35 Skin Conditioning14 Viscosity Controlling9 Masking8 Film Forming7 Fragrance7 Humectant6 Cosmetic Colorant5 Antistatic Agent5
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
4
B
Salicylic Acid
(Antiacne Agent, Antidandruff Agent, Corn/Callus/Wart Remover, Denaturant, Exfoliant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Keratolytic, Masking, Preservative)
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
1
Water
(Solvent)
2
B
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
(Cleansing, Foaming, Surfactant)
Sulfate
Sulfate
2
A
Glycerin
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care Agent, Oral Health Care Drug, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Perfuming, Solvent)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
4
B
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
(Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Sufactant, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
2
B
Acrylates Copolymer
(Adhesive, Artificial Nail Builder, Binding Agent, Film Forming, Hair Fixing, Suspending Agent Nonsurfactant, Antistatic Agent, Binding)
1
Sodium Chloride
(Bulking Agent, Masking, Oral Care Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
1
B
Stearyl Stearate
(Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling)
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
(Astringent, Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Jojoba Esters
(Emollient, Moisturising, Skin Conditioning, Soothing)
Carrageenan
1
C12-15 Alkyl Lactate
(Emollient, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Disodium EDTA
(Chelating Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
1
Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
(Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning)
Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract
(Astringent, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Tonic)
3
A
Polyquaternium-7
(Antistatic Agent, Film Forming, Hair Fixing)
1
B
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
(Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent, Emollient, Humectant, Masking, Oral Care Agent, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Tonic, Uv Absorber)
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Oily Skin
1
A
Ascorbyl Palmitate
(Antioxidant, Masking)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
(Emollient, Skin Conditioning)
1
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
(Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning)
Good for Sensitive Skin
Good for Sensitive Skin
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
3
B
Polysorbate 20
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
A
Polyvinyl Alcohol
(Binding Agent, Film Forming, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
3
B
Propylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioningagent Miscellaneous, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
4
B
Benzalkonium Chloride
(Antimicrobial Agent, Antistatic Agent, Cosmetic Biocide, Deodorant, Surfactant Suspending Agent, Preservative)
1
A
Butylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscositydecreasing Agent, Humectant, Masking, Viscosity Controlling)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
1
A
Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
(Uv Absorber)
1
A
Agar
(Binding Agent, Fragrance, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Masking, Viscosity Controlling)
2
Mica
(Cosmetic Colorant, Opacifying)
1
3
Titanium/Titanium Dioxide
(Cosmetic Colorant, Opacifying)
3
B
Sodium Hydroxide
(Denaturant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent)
PARFUM
(Fragrance, Perfuming)
2
A
Citric Acid
(Chelating Agent, Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
5
CI 73360
(Cosmetic Colorant)
3
CI 16035
(Cosmetic Colorant)
4
CI 60725
(Colorant, Cosmetic Colorant)

My Ingredient Notes

No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.

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Key ingredients

Antioxidants
Shields skin from free radical damage.
BHA
Unclogs pores and reduces excess oil.
Vitamin C
Brightens, evens tone, and supports collagen.

Benefits

HydratingBoosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
BrighteningRestores radiance to dull, tired skin.
Reduces IrritationEases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Good For Oily SkinBalances oil and helps reduce shine.
Reduces Large PoresMinimizes the look of enlarged pores.
Redness ReducingSoothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Scar HealingImproves the look of marks and scars.
Barrier RepairStrengthen and restore your skin's natural barrier.

Concerns

Contains sulfate
Not fungal acne (malassezia) safe
May not suit sensitive skin

Ingredients explained

Water
Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Solvent
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Antistatic agent, Hair conditioning
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR B Antistatic agentHair conditioningSkin conditioningSufactantFoam boostingViscosity increasing agentViscosity controlling
Acrylates Copolymer
Adhesive, Artificial nail builder
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR B AdhesiveArtificial nail builderBinding agentFilm formingHair fixingSuspending agent -nonsurfactantAntistatic agentBinding
Sodium Chloride
Bulking agent, Masking
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Bulking agentMaskingOral care agentViscosity controlling
Stearyl Stearate
Viscosity increasing agent, Emollient
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B Viscosity increasing agentEmollientSkin conditioningViscosity controlling
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent, Emulsion stabilising
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A AstringentEmulsion stabilisingFilm formingPerfumingSkin conditioningViscosity controlling
Jojoba Esters
Emollient, Moisturising
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmollientMoisturisingSkin conditioningSoothing
Carrageenan
Other
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A
C12-15 Alkyl Lactate
Emollient, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 EmollientSkin conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Chelating agent, Viscosity controlling
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Chelating agentViscosity controlling
Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Antistatic agent, Hair conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Antistatic agentHair conditioning
Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract
Astringent, Perfuming
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A AstringentPerfumingSkin conditioningTonic
Polyquaternium-7
Antistatic agent, Film forming
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A Antistatic agentFilm formingHair fixing
Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
Emollient, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 EmollientSkin conditioning
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Binding agent, Film forming
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Binding agentFilm formingViscosity increasing agentViscosity controlling
+ 9 more — see the full ingredients list above
Salicylic Acid
Antiacne agent, Antidandruff agent
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR B Antiacne agentAntidandruff agentCorn/callus/wart removerDenaturantExfoliantFragranceHair conditioningSkin conditioningKeratolyticMaskingPreservative Good for Oily SkinBad for Sensitive Skin
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing, Foaming
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR B CleansingFoamingSurfactant Sulfate
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A DenaturantFragranceHair conditioningHumectantOral care agentOral health care drugSkin protectingViscosity decreasing agentPerfumingSolvent Good for Dry SkinFungal-acne trigger
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial, Antioxidant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B AntimicrobialAntioxidantAstringentEmollientHumectantMaskingOral care agentSkin conditioningSkin protectingTonicUv absorber Good for Oily Skin
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant, Masking
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A AntioxidantMasking Fungal-acne trigger
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking, Perfuming
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 MaskingPerfumingSkin conditioning Good for Sensitive SkinGood for Dry Skin
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying, Surfactant
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR B EmulsifyingSurfactant Fungal-acne trigger
Propylene Glycol
Fragrance, Humectant
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR B FragranceHumectantSkin-conditioningagent - miscellaneousSolventViscosity decreasing agentSkin conditioningViscosity controlling Good for Dry Skin
Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceSkin conditioningSolventViscositydecreasing agentHumectantMaskingViscosity controlling Good for Dry Skin
Citric Acid
Chelating agent, Fragrance
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A Chelating agentFragrancePh adjusterBuffering agentMasking Bad for Sensitive Skin
CI 73360
Cosmetic colorant
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 5 Cosmetic colorant

How to use

How to use

  • 1 Morning only: Apply as the last step of your AM routine, after moisturiser, and reapply every ~2 hours of sun exposure.
  • 2 Wear SPF the next day: Acids and retinoids increase sun sensitivity — daily sunscreen is a must while using this.

General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.

Trust & honesty

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.

Use with caution
BHA (salicylic) (Salicylic Acid)

Low-strength topical salicylic acid (BHA) is generally considered fine. Caution is usually reserved for high-strength leave-on products and salicylic peels.

This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy guidance varies and depends on concentration and your individual situation — always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. How we flag this.

Effective levels — general guide

The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.

Vitamin C (ascorbic) 5–20%

L-ascorbic acid is usually used at 5–20% (around 10–15% is common). Above ~20% adds little and tends to irritate more; it also needs a low pH to work.

Ascorbyl Palmitate

BHA (salicylic) 0.5–2%

Salicylic acid is OTC-capped at 2%; 0.5–2% is the usual leave-on range. Much below that it acts more as a soothing agent than an exfoliant.

Salicylic Acid

INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.

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