Image skincare Clear Cell Salicylic Clarifying Tonic
Works for
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, Salicylic acidWorks well
“It clears away dead skin cells whilst reducing redness and encouraging a matte effect.”
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: glycolic acid, salicylic acid.
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid, Glycolic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“It clears away dead skin cells whilst reducing redness and encouraging a matte effect.”
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: glycolic acid
MoisturizingGlycerin, Honey extract + 5 moreWorks
“If excessive dryness, peeling or irritation occurs, reduce usage.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, honey extract.
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).
Anti-agingSide benefit · Glycolic acid, Oligopeptide-10 + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: oligopeptide-10.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Glycolic acid, Salicylic acid + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic acid, salicylic acid
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 strong irritants: Hamamelis virginiana water, Alcohol + 5 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Alcohol denat. sd alcohol 40-b~8.3–10.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycerin~4.1–5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 GlycerinPolysorbate 20~2.7–3.3%
Hamamelis virginiana water~2.2–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana waterGlycolic acid~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
More about Glycolic acidPropylene glycol~1.6–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolSalicylic acid~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
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 acidSodium hydroxide~1.1–1.4%
Alcohol~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholPhenoxyethanol~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl glycol~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.5–0.7%
Hexylene glycol~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolSodium phytate~0.4–0.6%
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractArnica montana flower extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can be irritating. It can have some anti-bacterial properties, but there are no evidence of a beneficial effect for skin
More about Arnica montana flower extractMelia azadirachta leaf extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating
More about Melia azadirachta leaf extractEucalyptus globulus leaf oil~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be very irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Eucalyptus globulus leaf oilCinnamomum camphora bark oil~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilLimonene~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneAnthemis nobilis flower extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that one one hand, can contain compounds that can help calm down skin irritation, but, on the other hand, its other compounds (especially fragrant ones) can themselves be irritating
More about Anthemis nobilis flower extractAesculus hippocastanum extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract. Benefits of topical application are not confirmed
More about Aesculus hippocastanum extractMaltodextrin~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinButylene glycol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolSyringa vulgaris extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium benzoate~0.15–0.3%
Potassium sorbate~0.15–0.25%
Boswellia serrata extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Mel extract~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Honey extract~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Honey extractOryza sativa bran extract~0.1–0.15%
Oligopeptide-10~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Oligopeptide-10Ingredient list view
Water, Alcohol denat. sd alcohol 40-b, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Hamamelis virginiana water, Glycolic acid, Propylene glycol, Salicylic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene glycol, Sodium phytate, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Arnica montana flower extract, Melia azadirachta leaf extract, Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, Cinnamomum camphora bark oil, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Limonene, Anthemis nobilis flower extract, Aesculus hippocastanum extract, Maltodextrin, Butylene glycol, Syringa vulgaris extract, Sodium benzoate, Potassium sorbate, Boswellia serrata extract, Mel extract, Honey extract, Oryza sativa bran extract, Oligopeptide-10
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.
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.
| Image skincareClear Cell Salicylic Clarifying TonicYOUR PRODUCT | First Aid BeautyIngrown Hair Pads | Deviant SkincareGentle Resurfacing Liquid | Allies of SkinMulti Acids & Retinoid Brightening Sleeping Facial | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 93% | 89% | 89% |
| Price | — | $24.00 | $52.00 | $100.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Bisabolol | Lactic Acid | Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Dr Dennis Gross Holiday Alpha Beta Peel VaultBarefaced Toning Pads II
Product summary
"Image skincare - Clear Cell Salicylic Clarifying Tonic" is effective for: Exfoliation, Anti-blemish, Anti-aging and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product contains acids (glycolic acid 1.90% - 2.30%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants).
- Salicylic acid (1.00% - 1.20%). This is an oil-soluble exfoliating acid. Because of this property, it can work inside pores and help reduce the congestion. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and is used to treat acne. Because it is a quite strong exfoliator, be careful with using this product too often: it could result in over-exfoliation.
- Humectants (glycerin 4.10% - 5.00%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 18.15£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 18 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4
- 5Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.