Tatcha THE INDIGO CLEANSING BALM

Tatcha THE INDIGO CLEANSING BALM

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-6 dicaprate, Polyglyceryl-2 caprate + 1 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“THE INDIGO CLEANSING BALM”
Source: Tatcha

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (polyglyceryl-2 caprate, polyglyceryl-2 sesquioleate, polyglyceryl-6 dicaprate) and should be able to cleanse the skin gently. Still keep in mind that any cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.

Polyglyceryl-6 dicaprateEffect: High~3.4–5.1%
Polyglyceryl-2 caprateEffect: High~2–3%
Polyglyceryl-2 sesquioleateEffect: High~0.45–1.05%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Nelumbo nucifera flower extract
Medium risk
We flagged 4 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Nelumbo nucifera flower extract—High~0.15–0.65%est.
Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinMedium~23–34%est.
Pentylene glycolUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product textureMedium~1.2–1.8%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.4%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Ethylhexyl palmitateAn emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture3/5~4.9–7.4%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Caprylic/capric triglyceride~23–34%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin

More about Caprylic/capric triglyceride
Ethylhexyl palmitate~4.9–7.4%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture

More about Ethylhexyl palmitate
Polyglyceryl-6 dicaprate~3.4–5.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Polyglyceryl-6 dicaprate
Synthetic wax~3.8–5.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize product formulations and thicken product consistency

More about Synthetic wax
Polyethylene~2.8–4.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to thicken the product's texture

More about Polyethylene
Polyglyceryl-2 caprate~2–3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Polyglyceryl-2 caprate
Water~1.5–2.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Pentylene glycol~1.2–1.8%
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
Indigofera tinctoria extract~0.95–1.4%
Formula
Polygonum tinctorium leaf/stem extract~0.6–1.35%
Formula
Polyglyceryl-2 sesquioleate~0.45–1.05%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Polyglyceryl-2 sesquioleate
Butylene glycol~0.35–0.85%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 glycol
Saccharomyces/rice ferment filtrate~0.4–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

A product of yeast fermentation. Can contain humectants that help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help neutralize free oxidants

More about Saccharomyces/rice ferment filtrate
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.4–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
AntibacterialAnti-oxidationAnti-agingMoisturizingEvens skin toneAnti-blemish

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 extract
Cladosiphon okamuranus extract~0.3–0.75%
Formula
Nelumbo nucifera flower extract~0.15–0.65%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation
More about Nelumbo nucifera flower extract
Propanediol~0.15–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

More about Propanediol
Oryza sativa bran oil~0.3–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant properties

More about Oryza sativa bran oil
Tocopherol~0.1–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationMoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-aging

Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself

More about Tocopherol
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Tin oxide~0.15–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A colorant that can add a pearl-like appearance to the formulation

More about Tin oxide
Mica~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light

More about Mica
Titanium dioxide~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Sun protection

Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin

More about Titanium dioxide
Ingredient list view

Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Polyglyceryl-6 dicaprate, Synthetic wax, Polyethylene, Polyglyceryl-2 caprate, Water, Pentylene glycol, Indigofera tinctoria extract, Polygonum tinctorium leaf/stem extract, Polyglyceryl-2 sesquioleate, Butylene glycol, Saccharomyces/rice ferment filtrate, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Cladosiphon okamuranus extract, Nelumbo nucifera flower extract, Propanediol, Oryza sativa bran oil, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Tin oxide, Mica, Titanium dioxide

Compare prices

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/11 00:30 GMT
$39.00
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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
TatchaTHE INDIGO CLEANSING BALMYOUR PRODUCTTatcha US DEVIndigo Cleansing BalmDr. AltheaPore Refresh Grinding Cleansing BalmBlue Lagoon Skin ScienceBL+ Cleansing Balm
Match—43%32%31%
Price$39.00$39.00$17.20−$21.80$42.53+$3.53
Shared key ingredients—6 of 63 of 61 of 6
Key difference——Corallina Officinalis ExtractAlgae Extract
Irritancy Medium Medium Medium Low
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 4 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
  2. 2
    Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
  4. 4
Tatcha THE INDIGO CLEANSING BALM
TatchaTHE INDIGO CLEANSING BALM

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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.