St. Ives Blackhead Clearing Face Scrub Green Tea
Works for
ExfoliationSalicylic acidWorks well
“This power-duo blend of skin-smoothing walnut shell and bamboo powder helps to deeply exfoliate and remove impurities for a clean, glowing complexion.”
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.
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid, Camellia sinensis leaf extractWorks well
“Packed with 1% salicylic acid and skin-loving green tea extract, this bad boy zaps blackheads and leaves you glowing”
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.
MoisturizingGlycerin, Glyceryl stearate se + 5 moreWorks
“It is also loaded with essential ceramides to keep your skin moisturized.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, propylene glycol.
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).
Evens skin toneSalicylic acid, Camellia sinensis leaf extractNot delivered
“St. Ives Green Tea Blackhead Clearing Face Scrub exfoliates for a more even skin tone and smooth, glowing skin.”
This product might help improve the skin tone through exfoliation. In other words, it helps to speed up the shedding of cells from the upper layer of the skin, and this might help reduce hyperpigmentation.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic5 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale5 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Salicylic acid1%
- 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 acidWater~45–55%
Hydrated silica~8.5–10.3%
Glycerin~5.4–6.6%
- 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 GlycerinGlyceryl stearate se~3.3–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Used to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient
More about Glyceryl stearate seCetearyl alcohol~2.7–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholSodium lauryl sulfoacetate~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium lauryl sulfoacetateCocamidopropyl betaine~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen
More about Cocamidopropyl betaineCetyl alcohol~1.6–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholTriethanolamine~1.3–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineGlyceryl stearate~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePeg-100 stearate~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateCetyl acetate~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Benzyl alcohol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholParfum~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumCarbomer~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerAcetylated lanolin alcohol~0.5–0.75%
Ceteareth-20~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Polysorbate 60~0.35–0.6%
Propylene glycol~0.25–0.5%
- 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 glycolDisodium edta~0.25–0.45%
Benzoic acid~0.2–0.4%
Sorbic acid~0.15–0.3%
Olea europaea leaf extract~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties but evidence for effectiveness in skin is missing
More about Olea europaea leaf extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.15–0.3%
- 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 extractCi 17200~0.1–0.2%
Ci 42090~0.1–0.15%
Ci 19140~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Salicylic acid, Water, Hydrated silica, Glycerin, Glyceryl stearate se, Cetearyl alcohol, Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Cetyl alcohol, Triethanolamine, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Cetyl acetate, Benzyl alcohol, Parfum, Carbomer, Acetylated lanolin alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Polysorbate 60, Propylene glycol, Disodium edta, Benzoic acid, Sorbic acid, Olea europaea leaf extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Ci 17200, Ci 42090, Ci 19140
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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.
| St. IvesBlackhead Clearing Face Scrub Green TeaYOUR PRODUCT | colibri skincare2% BHA Peeling | CodexialEnoliss Perfect Skin Spot Scrub Purifying Anti-Marks Correcting Care | CeraVeBlemish Control Gel Moisturiser with 2% Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide for Blemish-Prone Skin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 92% | 91% | 89% |
| Price | $4.97 | — | $16.96+$11.99 | $11.89+$6.92 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Epigallocatechin Gallate | Niacinamide | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Skincare by Dr V TRIO Blemish ExfoliatorPUDDERDÅSERNE.DK T-Zone Peeling
Product summary
"St. Ives - Blackhead Clearing Face Scrub Green Tea" is effective for: Anti-inflammatory, Anti-blemish and Exfoliation
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Humectants (glycerin 3.30% - 4.10%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "St. Ives" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails for 12.99CA$ in Canada, for 54.20A$ in Australia, from 3.99$ up to 4.99$ in the United States and for 13.11£ 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 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 3A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
- 4
- 5
- 6Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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