ADVERTISEMENT INFO: SOME PRODUCTS MENTIONED IN THIS POST ARE PR (GIFTED) AND LINKS USED ARE AFFILIATE LINKS. I RECEIVED NO MONEY TO WRITE THE BLOGPOST. PLEASE READ DISCLAIMER

Is your skin prone to acne, but at the same time sensitive? Are the cleansers marketed at acne-prone or oily skin too harsh for you? Then the SKIN1004 Tea-Trica BHA Foam might be something to look into.

Let’s talk about its performance, why the ingredients are different from your regular cleanser and how it should best be used to get optimal results without irritation.

What the SKIN1004 Tea-Trica BHA Foam claims

A deep cleansing foam with BHA and Tea tree unclogs pores and exfoliates dead skin cells, leaving a refreshed finish.

Facts about the SKIN1004 Tea-Trica BHA Foam

Prize and size

One tube in mint green contains 125 ml and is available for 12,75 $ on the website here. It is vegan.

Texture and smell

When pressed out of the tube, it feels like a firm cream. I always think of shaving cream when I see this specific texture although shaving creams are softer. There is a strong smell of tea tree oil that reminds me very much of the treatments of my youth and, a lovely surprise, the product is pastel green.

How to use the SKIN1004 Tea-Trica BHA Foam

I would recommend adding water in the palm of your hand and frothing the cleanser up before you apply it to your face as I find that works better than applying it to damp skin and foaming it up with wet hands on your face directly, but either one will do.

This is not the right product to remove makeup, so it is very much a second or morning cleanse, and I would personally use it only once a day. While it isn’t as stripping as others, using it more than once a day will increase the chance of it leasing to dryness and irritation. (More info: Do you need to Double Cleanse?)

If your skin is very dry or very sensitive, I would recommend starting with using it a few times a week at first before building it up to daily use, but most people will be fine with using it daily right from the start.

Ingredients of the SKIN1004 Tea-Trica BHA Foam

Water solv, Myristic Acid surf|emu|perf 0 3, Glycerin sii|h 0 0, Potassium Hydroxide buff, Stearic Acid emo|vc 0 2–3, Glyceryl Monostearate emo|emu 0 1–2, Propanediol solv|h, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine surf|vc, Palmitic Acid sii|emo|emu 0 2, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate surf, Potassium Benzoate pres, Salicylic Acid (0.45%) exf|aacne|so|pres, Butylene Glycol h|solv 0 1, Sorbitol h 0 0, 1,2-Hexanediol solv, Sodium Chloride vc, Centella Asiatica Extract (0.2%) so|aox|h, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer vc, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil (0.2%) so|aacne|aox|amic|perf, Cetearyl Alcohol emo|vc|emu|surf 1 2, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Water (0.09%) amic, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Polydecene emo|perf|solv, Arachidic Acid surf|emu, Lauric Acid aacne|surf|emu 1 4, Sodium Citrate chel|buff, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate chel, Oleic Acid emo|emu, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract aox, Dextrin vc|h, Citrus Acid buff, Disodium EDTA chel, Pentylene Glycol solv|h, Caprylyl Glycol h|emo, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract

Hover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
It is called a BHA cleanser, which is true, but when you look at the ingredients you will find that the concentration of Salicylic Acid is actually on the lower side with 0,45% – for reference, up to 2% is available in non-prescription. The other acids you see on the list, Myristic, Stearic, Palmitic, Lauric and Oleic Acid are actually fatty acids, not exfoliating acids, so these 0,45% are the only exfoliating agent you’ll get. (More info: The benefits of exfoliating acids in your skincare explained)

There is obviously also Centella Asiatica Extract, with 0,2% present lower than in other cleansers from the brand and offering soothing and anti-inflammatory benefits and then Tea Tree Oil, giving the cleanser its very distinct smell, also with a concentration of 2%. Tea Tree Oil is antiseptic and antiinflammatory and has been used in the treatment of acne for a long time, but got a bad reputation due to its irritation potential. Like it is with most ingredients though that largely depends on the way it is formulated and the concentration – in here it didn’t irritate my skin at all. (More info: The benefits of Centella Asiatica Extract in skincare explained)

On top of that you have Glycerin as humectant, a mixture of surfactants and a few more plant extracts, but none that I find deserves an extra mention.

More info: How to read the ingredient list in your skincare

Does it live up to its claims?

Mostly.

It is a thorough cleanser that manages to be non-stripping at the same time. If it will contribute a lot to the exfoliation of dead skin cells I don’t know though as the Salicylic Acid concentration is on the lower side. But then again the simple act of cleansing helps with exfoliation, so I guess it is fair to say it does.

How does it compare to…

pixi Clarity Cleanser

pixis offer is. despite the added soothing ingredients like Panthenol and Centella, much more stripping than the SKIN1004 one. Probably because in addition to the Salicylic it also features Glycolic and Lactic Acid. While pixi is clearly aimed at oily, probably teenage skin, SKIN1004 is one even more mature people like myself can use to aid in the combat of congestion.

You can read my full review of the pixi Clarity Cleanser here

e.l.f. Blemish Breakthrough Acne Clarifying Cleanser

Another option that is more suitable for oily and probably teenage skin as it is much more stripping than the SKIN1004 one is. It only contains Salicylic Acid, but in 1% concentration, so probably more effective in actually exfoliating inside the pore.

You can read my full review of the e.l.f. Blemish Breakthrough Acne Clarifying Cleanser here

Would I repurchase and which skin types do I recommend the SKIN1004 Tea-Trica BHA Foam to?

The SKIN1004 Tea-Trica BHA Foam is a lovely cleanser for those that want to address blemishes and clogged pores, but don’t get along with the more stripping formulas out there. The low concentration of Salicylic Acid paired with soothing ingredients like Centella Asiactica Extract and antiseptic substances like Tea Tree Oil make it a great option for use once daily on those with skin prone to acne that want a non stripping formula. It is not suitable for makeup removal and probably best limited to use once daily. Oh, and you have to be able to work with the scent of Tea Tree Oil as that is quite prominent in this product.

Shop SKIN1004 here

Don’t forget to check out the Discount Code Page on top if you want to save some money on your next skincare purchase, or click here to let me build a personalized skincare routine for you.
If you want to get more involved and pick my next topics or see exclusive behind the scenes content, don’t forget you can head over here and become a YouTube Channel Member!