Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment with Witch Hazel Review

Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment with Witch Hazel
2.2
/ 10
Moisturizing
4.4 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Rich Skin Soothing icon
in Skin Soothers
Review

Does Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment with Witch Hazel Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment with Witch Hazel has to offer:
 
  • Light moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 2.2 out of 10.
  • Soothing: Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment with Witch Hazel contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients, which may help to reduce irritation and calm the skin.

Key Benefits of Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment with Witch Hazel

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment with Witch Hazel:
 

Lightweight Purely Humectant Moisturizer Suitable for Oily Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment with Witch Hazel is lightly moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 2.2 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Purely humectant. It has zero occlusivity (we didn't find any occlusive ingredients on the ingredient list) and a moderate humectancy of 4.4 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Glycerin (est. ≈2.9%).

This product, when used alone as a moisturizer, can provide light humectant hydration in a fast-absorbing formula without any occlusive ingredients. This could work for people with oily skin who need a basic level of hydration.

Tip: Certain studies suggest that humectants alone may not effectively moisturize the skin. If you use this product as your only moisturizer, we recommend following it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients.

A Humectant Add-on for Any Skincare Routine

But it’s not limited to oily skin - since it contains a moderate amount of humectants, such a humectant add-on will also positively contribute to the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine when used as a step before applying the main moisturizer.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Skin Soothing and Calming Potential

Based on the ingredient list analysis, Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment with Witch Hazel is rich (> 5%) in soothing ingredients, particularly Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water (est. ≈11.0%) and Salicylic Acid (est. ≈2.0%).

When applied to the skin, compounds of soothing ingredients, such as triglycerides, phospholipids, fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants, work together to soothe the skin through various mechanisms: reducing inflammation, promoting wound healing, repairing the skin barrier, and providing antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our AI model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment with Witch Hazel

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment with Witch Hazel to your skincare routine:
 

If It’s Your Only Moisturizer, It Needs to Be Paired with Some Occlusives

While humectants are highly effective at attracting water to the skin, studies (J. N. Kraft, C. W. Lynde) suggest they may not be efficient when used alone.

One major drawback of purely humectant moisturization is that the water attracted by humectants to the upper layers of the skin can evaporate completely into the environment through transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Adding occlusive ingredients helps seal this moisture into the skin and prevent further water loss.

If you’re using Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment with Witch Hazel as your only moisturizer, consider pairing it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients, such as oils, butters, or silicones. These work alongside humectants to create a protective barrier, locking in hydration and ensuring longer-lasting moisturization. The amount of occlusive needed depends on your skin type - the drier the skin, the more occlusives it requires.

If this product is used not as a standalone moisturizer but as part of your skincare routine, such as a toner or serum, it should be applied before your main moisturizer (unless it's a sunscreen), which will provide the necessary occlusivity on top of it.

Pros & Cons of Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment with Witch Hazel

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment with Witch Hazel to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

Pros:

  • When used alone: Provides moderate humectant moisturizing suitable for oily skin
  • As part of a routine: A humectant moisturizing enhancement, beneficial for any skin type
  • Lightweight texture
  • Potentially soothing, as it contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients like Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water and Salicylic Acid

Cons: 

  • Only if used as a standalone moisturizer - it needs to be paired with occlusives to seal in humectants

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
50
22
11
3
2.9
2.8
2
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Alcohol Denat.
Function:
Origin:
Water
Function:
Origin:
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water
Function:
Origin:
Polyacrylamide
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Cyclopentasiloxane
Function:
Origin:
Salicylic Acid
Function:
Origin:
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Function:
Origin:
C12-15 Alkyl Lactate
Function:
Origin:
Alcohol
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Cetyl Lactate
Function:
Origin:
PPG-2 Isoceteth-20 Acetate
Function:
Origin:
Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Function:
Origin:
Laureth-7
Function:
Origin:
Polysorbate 20
Function:
Origin:
Phenethyl Dimethicone
Function:
Origin:
Fragrance
Function:
Origin:
Dehydroxanthan Gum
Function:
Origin:
Propylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Benzalkonium Chloride
Function:
Origin:
Ammonia
Function:
Origin:
Tetrasodium EDTA
Function:
Origin:
Butylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Capryloyl Glycine
Function:
Origin:
Sarcosine
Function:
Origin:
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
Function:
Origin:
Cedrus Atlantica Bark Extract
Function:
Origin:
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
4.4
2.9
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
2.2
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 4.4 10
4.4
2.9
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
2.2
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
2.9
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 4.4 10
4.4
All humectants
4.4
2.9
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
None
All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
None
Total
0
None
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 0.6 3 No
All antioxidants
0.6
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
0.3
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
11
2
0.3
All soothing 13.3 5 Rich in soothing
All soothing
13.3
11
2
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Alcohol Denat.
Est. %50
Function
Origin
Alcohol Denat.

Denatured alcohol is ethanol that contains additives that make it unsafe to consume. It is mainly used as a solvent and an antimicrobial agent. A major drawback to alcohol denat. is that it dries out the skin.

Water
Est. %22
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water
Est. %11
Function
Origin
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) WaterA fragrant, astringent essential water obtained by steeping and distilling the twigs and leaves of the witch hazel plant. It leaves the skin feeling tight and refreshed after application and helps with the healing of small cuts on the skin.
Polyacrylamide
Est. %3
Function
Origin
PolyacrylamideA synthetic ingredient that can thicken products instantly while still keeping them light and often gel-like.
Glycerin
Est. %2.9
Function
Origin
Glycerin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Cyclopentasiloxane
Est. %2.8
Function
Origin
CyclopentasiloxaneA lightweight, fast-spreading emollient that leaves a very soft and silky after-feel on the skin. Supplied as a clear and colorless liquid, cyclopentasiloxane is often used as a solvent to dissolve other silicones in.
Salicylic Acid
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Salicylic AcidThis effective peeling and anti-inflammatory BHA is used as an anti-acne agent and works by breaking down the junctions between dead skin cells. This results in the peeling of dead skin and the unclogging of pores.
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
C13-14 IsoparaffinA lightweight petroleum derivative. It is a very thin liquid that functions as an emollient and a solvent for other liquids (such as thicker oils or silicones).
C12-15 Alkyl Lactate
Est. %1
Function
Origin
C12-15 Alkyl Lactate
Alcohol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
AlcoholAn effective antimicrobial ingredient that kills bacteria, fungi, and even some viruses. It is also an excellent solvent and astringent. Alcohol helps to create lighter and less viscous products. It can, however, be dehydrating and skin-sensitizing.
Phenoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PhenoxyethanolThe most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.
Cetyl Lactate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Cetyl Lactate
PPG-2 Isoceteth-20 Acetate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PPG-2 Isoceteth-20 Acetate
Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride PhosphateOften derived from coconut oil, this ingredient has cleansing abilities while remaining gentle on the skin and feeling soft yet substantial.
Laureth-7
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Laureth-7A mild but effective functional ingredient. It can emulsify (efficiently mix water and oil) without needing too much in a formula.
Polysorbate 20
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Polysorbate 20A viscous, amber-colored liquid that functions as a solubilizer to disperse small amounts of oil into a large water phase. Polysorbate 20 is frequently used to solubilize fragrance oils into water-based emulsions.
Phenethyl Dimethicone
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Phenethyl Dimethicone
Fragrance
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
FragranceUnder trade secret law, manufacturers have the right not to disclose what exactly went into the fragrance and use the unspecific word Fragrance or Parfum instead. Many fragrances are highly allergenic.
Dehydroxanthan Gum
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Dehydroxanthan Gum
Propylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Propylene GlycolA clear, thick, odorless liquid of synthetic origin. Its main function is to stabilize cosmetic products exposed to varying temperatures. It is also a moderately strong humectant with similar properties to glycerin.
Benzalkonium Chloride
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Benzalkonium ChlorideA cationic surfactant with broad spectrum protection against microbes.
Ammonia
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Ammonia
Tetrasodium EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tetrasodium EDTAOne of the most common synthetic chelators. It can reduce the 'hardness' of water and so is often used in rinse-off products.
Butylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Butylene Glycol

A clear, colorless liquid humectant that draws moisture to the skin. The humectancy of butylene glycol, owed to its two hydroxyl groups, is quite considerable, although not as powerful as glycerin, which contains three hydroxyl groups.

Capryloyl Glycine
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Capryloyl GlycineA naturally-derived or synthetically produced multi-functional ingredient. As an anti-microbial it can act as part of a product's preservative system or reduce microbes on the skin that cause certain kinds of acne or dandruff.
Sarcosine
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
SarcosineA sweet-tasting amino acid that moisturizes the skin by attracting water to its surface. It also offers protection to the skin by stabilizing proteins against UV damage and denaturation.
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
Cedrus Atlantica Bark Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Cedrus Atlantica Bark Extract
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Portulaca Oleracea ExtractDerived from green or common purslane, this moisturizing extract is particularly rich in alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid, and contains antioxidant glutathione and vitamin E. As a herbal medicine, it is believed to treat headaches and inflammation.