Clear Cell Clarifying Salicylic Tonic
The IMAGE skincare Clear Cell Clarifying Salicylic Tonic is a toner. Our analysis of its 32 ingredients (20 low-risk) rates it Excellent (93/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin.
The IMAGE skincare Clear Cell Clarifying Salicylic Tonic is a toner. Our analysis of its 32 ingredients (20 low-risk) rates it Excellent (93/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin.
Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.
The evidence
Dry Skin
5/9
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
4/0
Sensitive Skin
3/15
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
1
|
|
Water
(Solvent) |
|
4
|
|
Alcohol Denat.
(Antifoaming Agent, Antimicrobial, Astringent, Masking, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling) |
Bad for Dry Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
|
|
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
Fungal Acne Trigger
|
|
3
|
B
|
Polysorbate 20
(Emulsifying, Surfactant) |
Fungal Acne Trigger
|
|
|
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
(Astringent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Soothing) |
|
|
4
|
B
|
Glycolic Acid
(Exfoliant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent) |
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
|
|
3
|
B
|
Propylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioningagent Miscellaneous, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling) |
Good for Dry Skin
|
|
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
Bad for Sensitive Skin
|
|
3
|
B
|
Sodium Hydroxide
(Denaturant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent) |
|
|
2
|
|
Alcohol
(Antifoaming Agent, Antimicrobial, Astringent, Masking, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling) |
Bad for Dry Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
|
|
4
|
A
|
Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative) |
Paraben
|
|
1
|
A
|
Caprylyl Glycol
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Humectant) |
|
|
1
|
A
|
Ethylhexylglycerin
(Deodorant, Skin Conditioning) |
|
|
1
|
A
|
Hexylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Emulsifying, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant) |
|
|
1
|
|
Sodium Phytate
(Chelating Agent, Oral Care Agent) |
|
|
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
|
|
2
|
|
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
(Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning) |
|
|
2
|
|
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
(Perfuming, Skin Conditioning) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
|
|
|
|
Cinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Tonic) |
|
|
|
|
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
(Antioxidant, Perfuming) |
|
|
6
|
|
Limonene
(Deodorant, Perfuming, Solvent) |
Allergens
|
|
1
|
|
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
(Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning) |
Good for Sensitive Skin
Good for Dry Skin
|
|
|
|
Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract
(Antioxidant, Astringent, Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Emollient, Skin Protecting) |
|
|
1
|
A
|
Maltodextrin
(Absorbent, Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Suspending Agent Nonsurfactant, Binding) |
|
|
1
|
A
|
Butylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscositydecreasing Agent, Humectant, Masking, Viscosity Controlling) |
Good for Dry Skin
|
|
|
|
Syringa Vulgaris Extract
(Skin Conditioning, Tonic) |
|
|
3
|
A
|
Sodium Benzoate
(Fragrance, Preservative, Anticorrosive, Masking) |
|
|
3
|
A
|
Potassium Sorbate
(Fragrance, Preservative) |
|
|
1
|
|
Boswellia Serrata Extract
(Skin Conditioning) |
|
|
|
|
MEL EXTRACT
(Moisturising) |
|
|
|
|
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
(Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting) |
|
|
1
|
|
Oligopeptide-10
(Antimicrobial, Deodorant, Skin Conditioning) |
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How to use
General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.
Trust & honesty
Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.
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.
The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.
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
OTC leave-on AHAs are usually 5–10%. The effect also depends on pH and free-acid value, not the percentage alone.
Glycolic 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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