What it's good for
Key actives from our research database. Click any to read the full evidence dossier.
A natural acne spot-treatment that kills the bacteria behind red, painful pimples. Slower than benzoyl peroxide but with fewer side effects when used at 5%.
Good for: Anti-acne, Anti-inflammatory
Goes into your pores and dissolves the oil and dead skin clogging them. Best for blackheads, whiteheads, and oily, acne-prone skin.
Good for: Anti-acne, Exfoliating
A workhorse hydrator that pulls water into your skin. In nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.
Good for: Hydrating
Evidence behind the ingredients
Real citations from our research database, one per tracked active in this product. Click any ingredient name to read its full evidence dossier.
A natural acne spot-treatment that kills the bacteria behind red, painful pimples. Slower than benzoyl peroxide but with fewer side effects when used at 5%.
Najafi-Taher R et al., A topical gel of tea tree oil nanoemulsion containing adapalene versus adapalene marketed gel in patients with acne vulgaris: a randomized clinical trial, Archives of Dermatological Research 2022;314(7):673-679 — RCT showed tea tree oil + adapalene nanoemulsion gel produced significantly better reduction in total, inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions than standard adapalene
Zambello A et al. Tea tree oil contact sensitization in children. Contact Dermatitis. 2021;84(2):123-124. doi:10.1111/cod.13699 — Documents allergic contact dermatitis from tea tree oil exposure in pediatric patients identified through patch testing; highlights sensitization risk in children.
Malhi HK, Tu J, Riley TV, Kumarasinghe SP, Hammer KA, Tea tree oil gel for mild to moderate acne; a 12 week uncontrolled, open-label phase II pilot study, Australasian Journal of Dermatology 2017;58(3):205-210
Goes into your pores and dissolves the oil and dead skin clogging them. Best for blackheads, whiteheads, and oily, acne-prone skin.
Liu Y et al., Clinical Efficacy of a Salicylic Acid-Containing Gel on Acne Management and Skin Barrier Function: A 21-Day Prospective Study, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2025;24(7):e70353 — salicylic acid gel reduced acne lesions, regulated sebum, improved hydration and barrier function
Ye R et al., 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel vs. adapalene gel in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: multicenter, randomized, evaluator-blind, parallel-controlled trial, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2024;23(6):2125-2134 — 2% SSA hydrogel was equally effective as adapalene gel for mild-to-moderate acne
Brumley C et al. Allergic contact dermatitis to salicylic acid: A case series of relevant sensitization. Contact Dermatitis. 2024;91(2):133-138. doi:10.1111/cod.14573 — Case series of 489 patch-tested patients (2020-2024): 21 positive reactions to salicylic acid. Documents that ACD to SA is likely underreported; testing at 5% concentration feasible.
A workhorse hydrator that pulls water into your skin. In nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.
Danby SG et al., Different types of emollient cream exhibit diverse physiological effects on the skin barrier in adults with atopic dermatitis, Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 2022;47(6):1154-1164 — glycerol+urea emollient delivered superior barrier-strengthening and irritant protection
Youssef R et al., Glycerol 85% efficacy on atopic skin and its microbiome: a randomized controlled trial, Journal of Dermatological Treatment 2021;32(7):730-736 — topical glycerol 85% RCT on atopic skin
Evans NJ et al., Human axillary skin condition is improved following incorporation of glycerol into the stratum corneum from an antiperspirant formulation, Archives of Dermatological Research 2017;309(9):739-748 — 4% glycerol penetrated axillary SC, reduced irritation, improved hydration
Sources: 10 clinical journals and regulatory databases across the US, EU, Korea, Japan, and China. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for the full list and what each outcome label means.
Full ingredient list
Everything on the package label, not just the tracked actives above.
- Contains fragrance: Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Fragrance, Citral, Citronellol, Limonene, Geraniol, LinaloolWorth knowing if you have sensitive or reactive skin.
+−Show all 45 ingredients
Listed in the order printed on the package. By regulation, ingredients at 1% or higher are listed in descending order by concentration, so the first entry is the largest part of the formula.
- Water
- Dipropylene Glycol
- Butylene Glycol
- 1,2-Hexanediol
- Glycerin
- Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil
- Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract*+
- Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract
- Nepeta Cataria Extract
- Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Leaf Extract
- Baptisia Tinctoria Root Extract
- Stellaria Media (Chickweed) Extract
- Arctium Lappa Root Extract+
- Echinacea Angustifolia Extract+
- Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract+
- Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract+
- Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
- Saccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate
- Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate
- Centella Asiatica Extract
- Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
- Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
- Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
- Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
- Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract
- Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sprout Extract
- Magnolia Kobus Bark Extract
- Sodium Hyaluronate
- Panthenol
- Alanyl Glutamine
- PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
- Octyldodeceth-16
- Citric Acid
- Sodium Citrate
- Trisodium EDTA
- Sodium Polyacrylate
- Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil
- Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
- Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil
- Fragrance
- Citral
- Citronellol
- Limonene
- Geraniol
- Linalool
Layering conflicts
Ingredients in this product that can react with common actives. Avoid stacking unless noted.
- Retinolhigh
Retinol + salicylic acid can over-exfoliate and damage the barrier. Alternate nights.
- Tretinoinhigh
Tretinoin + salicylic acid — major irritation risk. Strict separation required.
- Glycolic Acidmedium
AHA + BHA stacking risks over-exfoliation. Use a pre-formulated AHA/BHA product or alternate days.
Similar comparisons
Not medical advice. GlowPal is educational. Patch-test new products and talk to a qualified healthcare professional before changing your routine, especially if you're pregnant, nursing, or have a diagnosed skin condition. See our terms.