DermaQuest - BHA Cleanser

The DermaQuest BHA Cleanser is a purifying cleansing gel for congested skin. It's built for oily and combination skin, and the formula targets excess sebum and clogged pores to reduce blemishes.

The BHA Cleanser reduces blemishes and helps prevent new impurities from forming. The formula visibly calms redness and balances sebum production, without drying out the skin.

Who is the BHA Cleanser for?

It suits oily and combination skin, especially where the T-zone looks shiny, pores feel congested and blackheads show up. You'll usually notice this first on the nose, chin and forehead, where the sebaceous glands are most active. Both oily skin and combination skin benefit from a cleanser that removes excess sebum without pulling the skin tight. The BHA Cleanser belongs to DermaQuest's DermaClear line, aimed at congested skin with clogged pores and shine. The line also includes the DermaClear Cleanser and the BHA Spot Treatment for individual blemishes.

How do you use the BHA Cleanser?

Wet your skin first with lukewarm water. Massage the cleanser gently over your skin, then rinse thoroughly, again with lukewarm water. Continue your routine with a serum or moisturiser, for example. DermaQuest notes one thing to keep in mind: pair this product with an SPF. Don't use the BHA Cleanser during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or if you have a known aspirin allergy. Use this product in the morning and/or evening.

Which active ingredients are in the BHA Cleanser?

The main active ingredient in the DermaQuest BHA Cleanser is 2% salicylic acid, combined with sorbitol and tea tree oil. Below you'll find what each ingredient is and what it does.

Salicylic Acid (2%). Salicylic acid is a BHA, an acid that dissolves in oil and can reach deep into the pores. It loosens clogged pores, which reduces blackheads and blemishes.

Sorbitol. Sorbitol is a humectant, a moisture-binding ingredient. It keeps the skin hydrated during cleansing, so it doesn't dry out.

Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil). Tea tree oil is the plant oil in this formula, extracted from the leaves of the Australian tea tree. It calms the skin and visibly reduces redness.

Full ingredient list (INCI)

Water (Aqua), Sorbitol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil.

Frequently asked questions

What is a BHA, and why is it in this cleanser?

BHA stands for beta-hydroxy acid; in the DermaQuest BHA Cleanser, that's 2% salicylic acid. Salicylic acid dissolves in oil rather than water, so it travels deeper into the sebaceous gland and loosens clogged pores from within. An AHA such as mandelic acid works mainly on the skin's surface, while this BHA reaches further into the pore.

Can I use the BHA Cleanser if I have an aspirin allergy?

No. Salicylic acid is chemically related to aspirin, so DermaQuest advises against using the BHA Cleanser if you have a known aspirin allergy.

What's the difference between the BHA Cleanser and the DermaClear Cleanser?

The DermaQuest BHA Cleanser works with 2% salicylic acid, a BHA that dissolves in oil and reaches into the pore. The DermaClear Cleanser works with 1% mandelic acid, a milder AHA, combined with pineapple and papaya enzymes. Both belong to the DermaClear line and are meant for oily or combination skin with clogged pores.

Does the BHA Cleanser also refine skin texture?

Yes: DermaQuest lists this as an explicit property: "Reduces blackheads and refines skin texture." That effect is separate from the cleansing action of salicylic acid.

What's the difference between the BHA Cleanser and the BHA Spot Treatment?

You use the BHA Cleanser over your whole face and rinse it off; it's meant for daily use in the morning and/or evening. The BHA Spot Treatment also contains 2% salicylic acid, but stays on the skin. You apply it to individual spots, 1 to 2 times a day with the hygienic applicator.