Salicylic Acid 2% + Niacinamide 3% Oil Control Serum
GoodSalicylic Acid 2% + Niacinamide 3% Oil Control Serum
Acne, oiliness, clogged pores, blackheads
An oil-control serum pairing 2% Salicylic Acid (a BHA that is lipid-soluble, penetrates sebaceous follicles, and exfoliates inside pore walls) with 3% Niacinamide for sebum regulat…
An oil-control serum pairing 2% Salicylic Acid (a BHA that is lipid-soluble, penetrates sebaceous follicles, and exfoliates inside pore walls) with 3% Niacinamide for sebum regulation and anti-inflammatory support. Tea Tree Leaf Oil is included as an antimicrobial active. Key concern: Tea Tree Oil in a leave-on serum at an undisclosed concentration introduces sensitisation risk, particularly for reactive or eczema-prone skin. The EU SCCS recommends caution for leave-on use. Zinc PCA reinforces sebum regulation. Fragrance-free base reduces inflammatory load.
There is no synthetic fragrance, no banned UV filters, and no parabens. Salicylic Acid at 2% is the EU maximum permitted for leave-on cosmetics (Annex III), requiring the formula to be carefully pH-calibrated to avoid over-exfoliation. Tea Tree Leaf Oil (Melaleuca Alternifolia) is the ingredient requiring most attention here: a 2015 SCCS opinion identified a sensitisation risk from oxidised terpene byproducts that form when the oil is exposed to air. EU guidance recommends either rinse-off use or strict concentration limits for leave-on formats. Pilgrim does not disclose the Tea Tree Oil concentration, which makes it impossible to assess this risk independently.
Salicylic Acid at 2% is the globally validated concentration for dissolving comedones and exfoliating inside pore walls, making it the right dose for an oil-control serum. Niacinamide at 3% adds anti-inflammatory benefit and mild sebum regulation, though the strongest evidence for sebum control sits in the 5-10% range. Zinc PCA is a well-evidenced antimicrobial and sebum-regulating zinc compound. Tea Tree Oil brings an antimicrobial dimension, but without a disclosed concentration it is not possible to confirm whether it sits within a safe and effective range for leave-on use. Centella Asiatica Extract supports barrier integrity in the aftermath of BHA exfoliation.
The full INCI list is published on the product page. Salicylic Acid is confirmed at 2% and Niacinamide at 3%. Tea Tree Oil concentration is not disclosed - this is a meaningful gap because the sensitisation risk from oxidised terpenes in a leave-on format is concentration-dependent; consumers with reactive skin cannot assess their personal risk without this information. Zinc PCA and Centella Asiatica concentrations are also not disclosed. No clinical study data has been published for this formula.
Pilgrim is PETA-certified cruelty-free and the formula is vegan. The brand does not sell into markets that require mandatory animal testing. There is no synthetic fragrance and no azo dyes. Tea Tree Oil is naturally derived but oxidises over time if packaging is not airtight, forming the terpene compounds responsible for sensitisation. Palm derivative sourcing has not been independently verified against RSPO or equivalent standards.
Salicylic Acid is the first-line topical for acne and blackheads in high-humidity Indian climates where sebum overproduction is common. The 2% concentration is the regulatory maximum for leave-on use. Users with sensitive or eczema-prone skin should patch test for 72 hours before full application given Tea Tree Oil's sensitisation profile. Start with every-other-day use, building to daily if well tolerated. Do not layer with other BHA or AHA products on the same application. Always apply SPF the following morning, as BHA increases photosensitivity.
| Ingredient | Note | Status |
|---|---|---|
Aqua | Solvent base | Safe |
Salicylic Acid | 2% BHA, EU Annex III maximum for leave-on cosmetics; pH-dependent efficacy (optimal pH 3.0-4.0) | Note |
Niacinamide | Brand-confirmed at 3%; anti-inflammatory and mild sebum regulation; below the 5-10% range for strongest evidence | Safe |
Propanediol | Plant-derived humectant and solvent | Safe |
Glycerin | Humectant, functional hydration support | Safe |
Tea Tree Leaf Oil | Melaleuca Alternifolia, antimicrobial in leave-on; SCCS flagged sensitisation from oxidised terpenes; concentration undisclosed | Caution |
Zinc PCA | Antimicrobial zinc salt, sebum regulation at functional INCI position | Safe |
Centella Asiatica Extract | Barrier repair and soothing, supports post-exfoliation skin integrity | Safe |
Panthenol | Pro-vitamin B5, barrier restoration | Safe |
Allantoin | Soothing and repairing, buffers BHA-related irritation | Safe |
Sodium Hyaluronate | HA salt for hydration | Safe |
Hydroxyethylcellulose | Natural-derived polymer thickener | Safe |
Carbomer | Synthetic polymer gel-former, well-tolerated at cosmetic concentrations | Safe |
Sodium Hydroxide | pH adjuster critical for Salicylic Acid efficacy; final INCI position confirms trace quantity | Safe |
Phenoxyethanol | Preservative within EU/India 1% limit | Note |
Ethylhexylglycerin | Preservative booster, very low concern | Safe |
Ingredients listed in INCI order as declared on product packaging. Position reflects approximate concentration (high → low).
Clean Sheet Scores are generated by analysing every ingredient against India, EU, US & Korean safety regulations. No brand sponsorship. No affiliate relationships. Independent science-backed analysis only.
The Clean Sheet does not use fear-based ingredient labels. We assess products through a structured evidence hierarchy:
- What global regulations say
- What toxicology says
- What the formula concentration shows
- What the product format changes
- What the intended user needs
- What testing evidence proves
- What the brand is claiming
