Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Foaming Face Wash
Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Foaming Face Wash
Product Description
Product overview
A refreshing foaming face wash formulated with antibacterial Tea Tree Oil and skin-calming Witch Hazel to deep cleanse skin of dirt, oil, and makeup while fighting spot-causing bacteria. Leaves skin feeling energised, clear, and squeaky clean without over-drying.
Tea Tree Oil Power
Antibacterial properties help fight spot-causing bacteria and keep skin clear of blemishes.
Texture & feel
SENSORYTea Tree Oil Power
Antibacterial properties help fight spot-causing bacteria and keep skin clear of blemishes.
Witch Hazel Soothing
Natural astringent that calms skin, tightens pores, and provides antioxidant benefits.
Deep Pore Cleansing
Foaming action penetrates pores to remove dirt, oil, and makeup without stripping skin.
Vegan & Cruelty-Free
100% vegan formula with no animal testing. Contains minimum 35% post-consumer recycled packaging.
Safety & compatibility
SAFEContains tea tree essential oil. While generally considered safe in diluted cosmetic formulations, consult your healthcare provider before use during pregnancy.
Contains PEG-5 Cocamide which may feed Malassezia. However, tea tree oil has antifungal properties. Patch test recommended.
Clinically tested for skin compatibility. Suitable for daily use on normal to oily skin types.
Includes parfum and fragrance components (Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene). Those with fragrance sensitivities should patch test first.
Ingredient breakdown
INGREDIENTSTea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Alternifolia)Proven
A powerful essential oil with antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Helps reduce acne-causing bacteria and unblock pores for clearer skin.
- Research: Studies show tea tree oil can reduce acne lesions comparable to benzoyl peroxide with fewer side effects.
- Mechanism: Terpinen-4-ol component destroys Propionibacterium acnes bacteria.
Witch Hazel Water (Hamamelis Virginiana) 2nd ingredientProven
A natural astringent distillate with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Helps minimise the appearance of pores and control excess oil.
- Source: Distilled from the hazelnut-bush-like Witch Hazel tree native to North America.
- Benefits: Contains tannins that constrict proteins for pore-tightening effect.
- History: Used by indigenous groups for centuries to treat inflammation.
GlycerinProven
A powerful humectant that draws moisture to the skin, preventing the cleanser from over-drying. Helps maintain skin's natural moisture barrier.
- Research: Studies show glycerin is more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
- Skin-identical: Naturally present in healthy skin, making it highly compatible.
Cocamidopropyl BetaineGentle Cleanser
A mild, coconut-derived surfactant that creates stable foam and balances the cleansing action. Highly biodegradable and gentler than traditional cleansing agents.
- Function: Stabilises bubbles and moderates the cleansing strength of other surfactants.
- Eco-friendly: Synthetic but highly biodegradable.
22 ingredients
Aqua (Water), Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Alcohol, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Citrate, PEG-5 Cocamide, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum (Fragrance), Citric Acid, Sodium Methylparaben, Sodium Chloride, Dipropylene Glycol, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Benzophenone-4, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, CI 19140 (Yellow 5), CI 61570 (Green 5).
Where it fits in your routine
ROUTINEUse morning and evening as the first step of your skincare routine. For best results, follow with the Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Toner and Shine Control Moisturiser.
How to use
HOW TO USEWet Your Face
Splash your face with lukewarm water to open pores and prepare skin for cleansing.
Dispense Foam
Pump 2 pumps of foam directly into your palm. The product dispenses as a ready-to-use lather.
Massage Gently
Apply the foam to your face using circular motions, avoiding the delicate eye area. Massage for 30-60 seconds.
Rinse Thoroughly
Rinse off with warm water until no residue remains. Pat dry with a clean towel.
Who is it for?
WHOPerfect for you if:
- You have oily or combination skin prone to spots
- You struggle with blackheads and clogged pores
- You want an affordable, effective daily cleanser
- You prefer vegan, cruelty-free skincare
- You enjoy a refreshing, squeaky-clean feeling
- You need to control excess sebum production
Consider alternatives if:
- You have very dry or dehydrated skin
- You are highly sensitive to fragrances
- You prefer sulfate-free formulations
- You are pregnant (consult doctor first)
- You have confirmed Malassezia folliculitis
- You need a makeup-removing first cleanse
Skin type compatibility
SKIN TYPESPerfect match. Controls excess oil, unblocks pores, and leaves skin matte without over-drying.
Effectively cleanses T-zone without stripping drier areas. Follow with targeted moisturiser.
Tea tree's antibacterial action helps reduce breakouts. Users report significant improvement in spot frequency.
Works well for maintenance cleansing. May be slightly more than needed but won't cause issues.
May feel slightly drying. If using, follow immediately with a rich moisturiser. Consider cream cleansers instead.
Contains fragrance and essential oils. Patch test first. Some users with rosacea report positive results.
Results timeline
MONTH 2+Immediate Freshness
Skin feels instantly cleaner, refreshed, and less oily. Pores appear visibly cleaner after first use. Some may experience slight tightness.
95% noticed cleaner feelingOil Control Improvement
Sebum production begins to normalise. Fewer new spots appearing. Blackheads may start to loosen and become easier to extract.
78% reported less oilinessClearer Complexion
Noticeable reduction in active breakouts. Skin tone appears more even. Pores look refined and less congested.
82% saw fewer breakoutsLong-Term Balance
Skin settles into a healthier balance. Consistent clarity with fewer flare-ups. Best results when used as part of complete routine.
85% would repurchaseRatings by platform
253+ REVIEWSPros & cons
BALANCEDPraised
- Exceptional value at just £4.50 for 150ml
- Effective at reducing breakouts and spots
- Convenient foam pump dispenser
- Pleasant, refreshing herbal scent
- Leaves skin feeling genuinely clean
- Vegan and cruelty-free certified
- Dermatologically tested formula
- A little product goes a long way
Criticised
- Can be drying for dry skin types
- Contains SLES and alcohol (denat)
- Fragrance may irritate sensitive skin
- Contains parabens (Sodium Methylparaben)
- Not suitable for heavy makeup removal
- May cause tightness if over-used
Budget-friendly alternatives (dupes)
DUPESNearly identical formulation from Boots' main competitor. Slightly smaller size but even more affordable. Same key active ingredients.
Gentler surfactant system without SLES. No tea tree or witch hazel but very mild foam cleanser suitable for all skin types including sensitive.
Ceramide-enriched formula for barrier support. No tea tree but equally effective at oil control. Fragrance-free for sensitive skin.
Contains salicylic acid in addition to tea tree. Fair Trade sourced tea tree oil from Kenya. More upmarket positioning but similar efficacy.
Comparison with competitors
SIDE-BY-SIDEStorage & shelf life
12 MONTHS12 months after opening
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep cap closed when not in use.
Foam pump bottle. Contains minimum 35% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. Recycle bottle with cap on, remove pump.
Yes - 150ml is over the 100ml limit but 50ml travel size available. Pump dispenser prevents leaks.
Frequently asked questions
FAQUse with caution. The formula contains tea tree essential oil, which is generally considered safe in diluted cosmetic formulations when used topically. However, some sources recommend avoiding essential oils during pregnancy. The formula also contains alcohol (denat). We recommend consulting your healthcare provider before use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Caution advised. While tea tree oil has proven antifungal properties that can help fight Malassezia, the formula contains PEG-5 Cocamide which may potentially feed the fungus. Since it's a wash-off product with short skin contact time, many with fungal acne use it without issues. However, if you have confirmed Malassezia folliculitis, patch test first or consider a certified fungal-acne-safe cleanser.
Yes, this cleanser is compatible with most active ingredients. Since it rinses off, it won't interfere with leave-on treatments. However, if you're using strong actives like retinol or acids and experience sensitivity, you might find this cleanser slightly drying. Consider alternating with a gentler cleanser on active nights, or ensure you follow with a hydrating toner and moisturiser.
This cleanser is ideal for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin types. The tea tree and witch hazel combination effectively controls excess sebum while fighting spot-causing bacteria. Normal skin can also benefit from occasional use. Those with dry or very sensitive skin may find it too stripping and should consider cream cleansers instead.
You'll feel cleaner and more refreshed immediately after first use. Within 1-2 weeks of consistent twice-daily use, most users notice reduced oiliness and fewer new breakouts. Significant improvement in overall skin clarity typically occurs within 3-4 weeks. For best results, use as part of a complete skincare routine and continue long-term.
Use as the first step of your skincare routine, morning and evening. If you wear heavy makeup or sunscreen, consider double cleansing with an oil-based cleanser first, then follow with this foaming wash. After cleansing, proceed with toner, serum, moisturiser, and sunscreen (AM only).
No, this cleanser has a low comedogenic rating of 1/5. The formula is designed to unclog pores rather than block them. Both tea tree oil and witch hazel help remove debris from pores. Since it's a rinse-off product, ingredients have minimal time to cause congestion. Users consistently report cleaner, less congested pores with regular use.
The product has a PAO (Period After Opening) of 12 months. With twice-daily use of 2 pumps, the 150ml bottle typically lasts 2-3 months. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to maintain efficacy. The foam pump design helps prevent contamination and extends product freshness.
Verdict: The Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Foaming Face Wash delivers exceptional value for money, offering an effective solution for oily and acne-prone skin at just £4.50. The combination of antibacterial tea tree oil and astringent witch hazel genuinely helps control breakouts and excess oil. While it may be too drying for some skin types and contains fragrance and SLES, the overwhelmingly positive reviews (4.7-4.9 stars across platforms) speak to its effectiveness. A fantastic budget-friendly choice for those seeking clearer, healthier-looking skin without breaking the bank.
Product Overview
Quick product notes are a great way to check if a product is free from commonly avoided ingredients by skincare enthusiasts. These preferences come about for different reasons depending on the ingredient such as personal experiences, sensitivities, health preferences & etc.
Just because a product is not free from a common preference does not mean it's a bad product! You can make a personal decision whether or not you want to use a product that contains these ingredients or not - click the labels of the preference to read more about them.
Quick Product Notes
Ever used a product that promised a certain effect but provided no results? It might not have contained any notable ingredients that could have been responsible for that promised effect. It doesn't matter what the marketing or packaging «promises» it can do, if it doesn't contain anything that can help - then the likelihood of it helping is low.
We help you identify key notable ingredients that have been shown to help with effects such as acne-fighting, brightening, UV-protection, wound healing & anti-aging to help you achieve your skincare goals smarter. Please note that different notable ingredients have varying levels of research behind them, some are extremely well proven yet some have mixed research in their efficacy.
Just because a product doesn't contain any notable ingredients doesn't mean it's bad. And a product with notable ingredients (or even many) doesn't necessarily guarantee the efficacy of the product performing these effects either. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine this.
Be smart and use this as just a starting point for you to make more informed and smarter choices and compare it with reviews to see if the product is right for you
Notable Effects & Ingredients
Why are some products great for some people and horrible for others? Well everyone has different skin types and different reactions to the same ingredients.
We've identified a range of ingredients that are commonly regarded as potentially good or bad for those with Dry, Oily/Acne-Prone or Sensitive skin.
A product that contains good or bad ingredients for your skin type doesn't always flat out make the entire product good or bad for your skin. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine your skins reaction.
One of the best ways to use this section is to troubleshoot products you've had bad experiences with in the past. Check if it contains any of the marked ingredients to point out suspect ingredients to avoid in the future!
Ingredients Related to Skin Types
Ingredient Safety Breakdown refers to the percentage % of ingredients in different risk categories as classified by EWG (Environment Working Group) if they are available. There are almost endless cosmetic ingredients and they are one of the few organisations globally that have assigned ratings to a lot of the more commonly used ingredients which is why we reference them.
EWG is seen by many to be more on the alarmist side in their assignment of health ratings resulting in rating ingredients as riskier than they actually are. We recommend using this a reference point rather than a strict guide of ingredient safety and to always do further research if into ingredients that you may find suspect.
Ingredient Safety Breakdown
Product ingredient list
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 |
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent, Skin Conditioning, Soothing
|
|
|
| 3 |
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Surfactant, Emulsifying, Cleansing, Foaming
|
|
|
| 0 |
Alcohol
Antimicrobial, Astringent, Masking, Solvent
|
|
|
| 2 |
Glycerin
Solvent, Perfuming, Fragrance, Humectant, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Denaturant, Skin Conditioning
|
Promotes Wound Healing
Hydrating
|
|
| 4 |
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning, Sufactant, Foam Boosting
|
|






