Thayers Blemish Clearing Cleanser Versus Thayers Blemish Clearing 2% Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Balm
Updated on January 03, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Thayers Blemish Clearing Cleanser 15 ingredients
Thayers Blemish Clearing 2% Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Balm 16 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Thayers Blemish Clearing Cleanser 15 ingredients
Thayers Blemish Clearing 2% Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Balm 16 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningCreatine
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingHamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCymbopogon Schoenanthus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Creatine, Glycerin, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Decyl Glucoside, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarrageenan
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Cymbopogon Flexuosus Oil
Masking
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Beeswax, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aminomethyl Propanol, Xanthan Gum, Carrageenan, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Cymbopogon Flexuosus Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterHamamelis Virginiana Extract comes from the witch hazel plant. The witch hazel plant is native to eastern North America. Many parts of this plant are used in skincare from its twigs to its leaves.
Witch Hazel is an astringent, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial ingredient.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract is an extract of the leaves of the aloe, Aloe barbadensis, Liliaceae.
You may know Aloe to be a good sunburn reliever and inflammation reducer. This is because it contains many components that are known to help reduce irritation and itchiness. These include vitamins, amino acids, polysaccharides, and more. The high water content of aloe also helps give a cooling effect.
Aloe contains the antioxidants Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins neutralize free radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
The aloe plant is naturally abundant in polysaccharides, a carbohydrate made of sugar molecules. Polysaccharides help hydrate your skin by mimicking your skin's natural carbohydrates.
As it is easily absorbed by the skin, aloe is a great moisturizer. It is both a humectant and emollient. Emollients help trap moisture in your skin, keeping your skin soft. Humectants draw water from the air to your skin.
Other components of aloe include sugars such as monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, choline, many common minerals such as calcium, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.
Aloe does not protect against UV rays, despite it soothing sunburns.
There are over 420 species of aloe but Aloe Barbadensis is the most commonly used for topical products.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
This tea tree oil comes from the leaves of the Tea Tree plant. Tea tree oil has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
According to the book Journal of Profiles of Drug Substances, tea tree helps in reducing acne-causing bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes. This is due to the Terpinen components of tea tree oil.
Tea tree may cause sensitivity and irritation for some people. This oil naturally contains fragrance such as linalool and limonene.
However, research shows irritation usually occurs when using pure tea tree oil and not in cosmetic products.
Tea tree oil was found to help relieve the symptoms of psoriasis in one study.
Tea tree oil is toxic when ingested. Another study showed it to caused damage to the nervous system of dogs and cats when applied to their skin or given orally.
Learn more about Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf OilIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Thayers Blemish Clearing Cleanser 15 ingredients
Thayers Blemish Clearing 2% Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Balm 16 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Thayers Blemish Clearing Cleanser 15 ingredients
Thayers Blemish Clearing 2% Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Balm 16 ingredients
I wanted to like this, but I find myself dreading using it.
Key Tip: a little bit goes a looong way! Just a drop spread between your hands is enough for your entire face. Otherwise, it's nearly impossible to rub in completely!
I found the after feeling way too oily, greasy, and tacky to be pleasant.
Can be a bit grippy, like a primer base under makeup, but also very shiny and Show more
