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Burt's Bees Natural Acne Solutions Clarifying Toner
Burt's Bees

Burt's Bees Natural Acne Solutions Clarifying Toner

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium
See all ingredients

Works for

Exfoliation
Salicylic acid, Salix nigra bark extract
Works well
What the product description says
“Designed for acne-prone skin, this clarifying toner also contains Salicylic Acid, derived naturally from Willow Bark Extract, that works as a skin exfoliator to help unclog pores and prevents future breakouts.”
Source: Walgreens

This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: salicylic acid.

Salicylic acidKey activeEffect: HighUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)1%
Salix nigra bark extractEffect: LowA plant extract that might contain salicylic acid~4.6–6.8%
Anti-blemish
Salicylic acid, Zinc pca + 2 more
Works well
What the product description says
“100% NATURAL ORIGIN: Infused with salicylic acid naturally derived from willow bark and witch hazel extract, Burt's Bees® 100% natural acne toner helps control blemishes and prevent breakouts”
Source: Target

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.

The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: zinc pca

Salicylic acidHeroEffect: HighUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)1%
Zinc pcaKey activeEffect: MediumA compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing~0.15–0.55%
Centella asiatica leaf extractEffect: LowA plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. It can be irritating to sensitive skin. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It could, however, itself be irritating.~3.1–4.6%
InulinEffect: LowHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is claimed to support the growth of "good" bacteria in skin (as a "prebiotic"), but the research is lacking~0.5–1.15%
Anti-aging
Side benefit · Centella asiatica leaf extract, Zinc pca
May help

This product contains centella asiatica leaf extract. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.

Centella asiatica leaf extractKey activeEffect: MediumA plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. It can be irritating to sensitive skin. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It could, however, itself be irritating.~3.1–4.6%
Zinc pcaEffect: LowA compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing~0.15–0.55%
Moisturizing
Side benefit · Glycerin, Fructose + 3 more
Works

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": fructose, glycerin.

When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~6.3–9.5%
FructoseKey active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~1.3–2%
InulinKey activeEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is claimed to support the growth of "good" bacteria in skin (as a "prebiotic"), but the research is lacking~0.5–1.15%
Zinc pcaKey active· HumectantEffect: HighA compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing~0.15–0.55%
Pentylene glycol· EmollientEffect: LowUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture~0.55–1.25%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Calendula officinalis flower extract, Parfum
Medium risk
We flagged 7 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Salicylic acidUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)High1%
Calendula officinalis flower extractA plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritatingHigh~1.9–2.8%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.1–0.3%est.
Salix nigra bark extractA plant extract that might contain salicylic acidMedium~4.6–6.8%est.
Centella asiatica leaf extractA plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. It can be irritating to sensitive skin. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It could, however, itself be irritating.Medium~3.1–4.6%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.9–1.3%est.
Pentylene glycolUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product textureMedium~0.55–1.25%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
Alternatives
The closest match we found
Gentle Resurfacing Liquid
Deviant Skincare Gentle Resurfacing Liquid
Closest match91% match
$52.00
View all alternatives

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Salicylic acid1%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryAnti-blemishExfoliationAntibacterialEvens skin tone

Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)

More about Salicylic acid
Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glycerin~6.3–9.5%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin
Salix nigra bark extract~4.6–6.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Exfoliation

A plant extract that might contain salicylic acid

More about Salix nigra bark extract
Centella asiatica leaf extract~3.1–4.6%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Reduces rednessReduces irritationAnti-inflammatoryAnti-agingAnti-blemish

A plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. It can be irritating to sensitive skin. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It could, however, itself be irritating.

More about Centella asiatica leaf extract
Calendula officinalis flower extract~1.9–2.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritating

More about Calendula officinalis flower extract
Fructose~1.3–2%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Fructose
Citric acid~0.9–1.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Inulin~0.5–1.15%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-blemish

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is claimed to support the growth of "good" bacteria in skin (as a "prebiotic"), but the research is lacking

More about Inulin
Pentylene glycol~0.55–1.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture

More about Pentylene glycol
Zinc pca~0.15–0.55%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-blemishAnti-agingAnti-oxidation

A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing

More about Zinc pca
Parfum~0.1–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Ingredient list view

Salicylic acid, Water, Glycerin, Salix nigra bark extract, Centella asiatica leaf extract, Calendula officinalis flower extract, Fructose, Citric acid, Inulin, Pentylene glycol, Zinc pca, Parfum

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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
Burt's BeesNatural Acne Solutions Clarifying TonerYOUR PRODUCTDeviant SkincareGentle Resurfacing Liquidcolibri skincare2% BHA Peelinge.l.f. CosmeticsThirst Burst Pore-fecting Toner
Match—91%90%89%
Price—$52.00—$6.00
Shared key ingredients—3 of 62 of 62 of 6
Key difference—Glycolic AcidCamellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractGluconolactone
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
  3. 3
    A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
  4. 4
    Glycolic Acid Peels Versus Salicylic–Mandelic Acid Peels in Active Acne Vulgaris and Post‐Acne Scarring and Hyperpigmentation: A Comparative Studyonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  5. 5
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. 6
    Centella asiatica in Dermatology: An Overviewonlinelibrary.wiley.com
Burt's Bees Natural Acne Solutions Clarifying Toner
Burt's BeesNatural Acne Solutions Clarifying Toner
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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.