Innisfree Green Tea Amino Acid Cleansing Oil — Efficacy 3.7/5.0, Safety 3.1/5.0 | DemythSkin
++++
[ DemythSkin Verdict ]
Innisfree Green Tea Amino Acid Cleansing Oil

Innisfree Green Tea Amino Acid Cleansing Oil

CleanserGentle makeup and oil-based impurity removal with hydration
Efficacy
Solid
3.7 / 5.0
Safety
Irritant
3.1 / 5.0
System Verdict
A competent, fragrance-heavy oil cleanser that cleanses effectively but sacrifices barrier support for scent and comedogenic emollients. The formula excels at its core job—the self-emulsifying surfactant (Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate) ensures easy rinsability, and the amino acid (Arginine) + humectant blend (Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol) provides hydration during cleansing. The plant oil base (jojoba, rice bran, apricot kernel, olive, sunflower, almond, green tea seed) is genuinely nourishing and antioxidant-rich. However, the efficacy score is capped at 3.7 due to three critical flaws: (1) Isopropyl Palmitate (position 2) is a high-comedogenicity emollient (comedogenic index 2.0) that contradicts the "hydrating" claim for acne-prone skin; (2) Fragrance/Parfum + Linalool + Limonene (positions 8, 27, 28) represent a significant irritation risk, especially for sensitive skin—fragrance in a rinse-off product is unnecessary and reduces safety; (3) the formula prioritizes emollient feel over barrier-protective ceramides or cholesterol, which would be expected in a "hydrating" cleanser. For a rinse-off product, the green tea extract and antioxidants deliver minimal lasting benefit. The cleanser will not strip the skin, but it is not meaningfully better than simpler, fragrance-free alternatives at the same price point.
Active Ingredients Detected
A Tier: Good BasicsProven Results
Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideSimmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed OilWater/Aqua/EauArginineHelianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed OilTocopherol
B Tier: Supporting IngredientsPromising Ingredients
Cetyl EthylhexanoateSorbeth-30 TetraoleateDecyl CocoateC9-12 AlkaneDiisostearyl MalateCoco-Caprylate/CaprateButylene GlycolPropanediol1,2-HexanediolSodium MetaphosphateCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
C Tier: Marketing IdolsHype | Limited or Weak Data
Acorus Calamus Root Extract
D Tier: Potential IrritantsBe Cautious
Isopropyl PalmitateFragrance/ParfumPrunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel OilOryza Sativa (Rice) Bran OilCamellia Sinensis Seed OilPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) OilEthylhexylglycerinOlea Europaea (Olive) Fruit OilLinaloolLimonene
Analyze on DemythSkin

DemythSkin is an independent ingredient analyzer. Scores are computed by a deterministic rubric from published clinical evidence — no brand pays for a score.