Mary & May - Cica Tea Tree AHA PHA blemish Toner 30ml

The Mary & May Vegan Cica Tea Tree AHA PHA Blemish Toner is a Korean skincare toner specially formulated for skin prone to blemishes, excess oil, dullness, irritation, and congestion. It combines gentle exfoliating acids (AHA & PHA), calming and anti‑inflammatory botanicals (tea tree leaf water, centella/cica extract), sebum regulation agents, and moisturizing/hydrating ingredients in a formula that is designed to be effective yet gentle — even for sensitive skin in many cases.

Its strength is in balancing: removing dead skin cells and clearing pores without overly stripping the skin, soothing inflammation, controlling sebum, and hydrating. The product comes in a 30 ml size (as a “miniature” version), which is good for trying out, traveling, or carrying.

Key Active Components & Their Functions

Here are the main active ingredients and technologies in this toner, and how they contribute to its performance:

Other Supporting Ingredients

Beyond the defining actives, the toner contains a host of humectants, soothing botanicals, and substances that help with texture, preservation, and feel:

• Humectants like glycerin, propanediol, butylene glycol: pull moisture into skin. 

• Allantoin: soothing, protects skin, helps repair.

• Xylitol, glucose, etc.: help with moisturization, antioxidant properties. 

• Botanicals such as Pinus densiflora leaf extract, Citrus junos fruit extract, Artemisia annua etc.: additional soothing, antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory benefits. 

Formulation Characteristics

These are the features of the formulation that influence how the product feels, works, and fits into a routine:

• pH / “weak‑acidic formula”: The toner is described as having a weakly acidic pH, which is suitable for acids to work (exfoliation) while being gentle and preserving the skin barrier.

• Vegan & cruelty‑free: No animal‑derived ingredients; not tested on animals. Good for those preferring ethical skincare.

• 16FREE Hazardous ingredients: The brand claims to avoid 16 known problematic ingredients. Also, “EWG green grade” (excluding fragrance) for all ingredients. 

• Skin irritation test completed: So there has been at least basic testing for compatibility. 

• Eco‑friendly packaging / print: The packaging is printed with soybean oil ink; sustainability is part of the design. 

What Benefits Can You Expect?

Here are the benefits you might see or hope for when using this toner regularly (assuming skin tolerates it well):

• Reduction in visible blemishes, acne breakouts; fewer clogged pores.

• Less oily or shiny appearance, because of sebum control.

• Smoother skin texture: peeling away dead skin cells, reducing roughness or flakiness.

• Brighter, more even skin tone: fade dark spots or post‑acne marks, with niacinamide and acid exfoliation.

• Calmed redness, irritation: tea tree, cica, and soothing agents help reduce inflammation and soothe skin.

• Hydration without heaviness: humectant ingredients help maintain moisture so skin doesn’t feel tight or dry after exfoliation.

How to Use / Integration into Routine

To get optimal results and minimize risk of irritation, here's how to use it:

1. Patch test first: On a small area (e.g. jawline or behind ear) before using all over face, especially if you have sensitive skin or are new to acids.

2. Cleansing first: Use your regular facial cleanser to remove dirt, makeup, etc. Can use gentle cleanser to avoid compounding harshness.

3. Toning / application: Apply the toner after cleansing. You have options:

   • Hand‑application: dispense a few drops into clean palms and pat onto skin, allowing absorption.

   • Cotton pad: soak a cotton pad and gently swipe over skin (avoiding the eye area).

   • Spot or mask: for trouble areas (blemishes or congested spots), you can soak a pad and leave it on those areas for ~5 minutes (as a “toner mask”) for boosted effect.

4. Frequency: Depending on skin tolerance, start slower — maybe every other day or a few times per week. Once skin adjusts, can move to daily use (morning or evening).

5. After toner: Follow with serum(s), moisturizer, and sunscreen (if using in the morning) because acids make skin more sensitive to UV light.

6. Additional care: If you use other potent actives (like vitamin C, strong retinoids, or multiple exfoliants), avoid layering too many at once to prevent over‑exfoliation or irritation.

Things to Be Careful About / Possible Drawbacks

No product is perfect for everyone; here are points to watch:

• Irritation risk: Even though it’s made gentle, acids (AHA, PHA) plus other actives (tea tree, menthol/minty extracts) can still cause tingling, burning, especially if skin barrier is compromised, or if used too frequently.

• Fragrance / Mentha: It contains Mentha arvensis leaf oil and possibly scent components. For people sensitive to fragrance or essential oils, this may provoke irritation.

• Sun sensitivity: Exfoliation increases susceptibility to sun damage. Use broad spectrum SPF daily.

• Overuse dangers: Using too often or combining with many other exfoliants can lead to dryness, peeling, barrier damage, or breakouts.

• Expectations: While it helps with blemishes and dullness, it may take several weeks to see visible improvement in acne scars, hyperpigmentation or deep texture issues.

Ingredient Breakdown (Full List)

Here is the approximate ingredient list (in order of prevalence) and what many of them do:

Water, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, 1,2‑Hexanediol, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, C12‑14 Pareth‑12, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Citric Acid, Gluconolactone, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Xylitylglucoside, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Anhydroxylitol, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Xylitol, Glucose, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Artemisia Annua Extract 

• Water / Tea Tree Leaf Water: solvent, base; tea tree gives soothing, antibacterial properties.

• Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol: humectants, help retain moisture.

• Niacinamide: sebum regulation, brightening, barrier strengthening.

• 1,2‑Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin: preservatives / stabilizers / skin conditioning.

• Citric Acid, Gluconolactone: exfoliants (AHA and PHA).

• Allantoin, Centella Asiatica, Anhydroxylitol: soothing, calming, barrier repair.

• Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil: cooling / soothing / scent (be cautious if sensitive).

• Xylitol, Xylitylglucoside, glucose: moisture, antioxidant, skin conditioning.

• Botanical extracts like Pinus densiflora (pine), Citrus junos (yuzu), Artemisia annua: antioxidants / anti‑inflammatory / calming.

Comparison / Where It Fits In

If you compare this toner to others in the “blemish / clarifying” category:

• It is gentler than strong acid toners (e.g. 10‑15% AHA) because PHA + a “weak acidic” pH lessen potential harshness.

• Its combination of tea tree, cica, niacinamide makes it more than just an exfoliant — there's soothing, anti‑bacterial, barrier support.

• Good for oily, combination, blemished skin but also some with sensitive skin (if used carefully). If your skin is very reactive, might prefer to phase in slowly.

Recommended Routine / Sample Uses

Here are ways to incorporate into your skincare:

Morning Routine Example

1. Cleanser (gentle)

2. This toner (if your skin tolerates acids in the morning, but many prefer using acids at night)

3. Lightweight serum (e.g. hydrating / antioxidant)

4. Moisturizer

5. Broad spectrum sunscreen

Evening Routine Example

1. Double cleanse (if wearing makeup/ sunscreen)

2. This toner

3. Treatment or serum (if using something like vitamin B, retinoids — but avoid layering multiple actives on same night)

4. Moisturizer or sleeping mask

Alternate Nights (for sensitive skin)

• Use the toner every other night or every two nights at first.

• Keep other exfoliants (scrubs, strong acids) off when using this or reduce their frequency.

• Always follow up with good hydration and emollients to maintain barrier.

Who It’s Good For / Who Should Be Cautious

Good for:

• Skin with frequent breakouts, blackheads, clogged pores.

• Oily or combination skin.

• Dull skin that needs gentle exfoliation and brightening.

• People wanting a vegan, cruelty‑free, “cleaner” skincare product.

Be cautious with:

• Very sensitive / reactive skin (start slow, patch test).

• Skin with compromised barrier (lots of irritation, peeling) — need to repair and use gentler products first.

• Using along with other exfoliating treatments too frequently.

• If allergic to essential oils / menthol / tea tree etc.

Expected Timeline of Effects

Here’s what you might expect over time, with regular use (adjusted for individual variation):

• Week 1: Gentle exfoliation; you may feel slight tingling; skin may begin to feel smoother; some shine / oily areas starting to feel less heavy.

• Weeks 2‑4: More noticeable reduction in breakouts and razor bumps / clogged pores; skin tone looking more even; less post‑blemish redness; improved texture.

• After 4‑6 weeks: Dark or pigmented blemish marks fading; overall clearer and more balanced skin; skin barrier hopefully strong if kept moisturised.

Packaging & Other Features

• Comes in a 30 ml “miniature” bottle — good size to test, travel with. Larger sizes (e.g. 200 ml) also existThe packaging is claimed to be eco‑friendly in certain design aspects (packaging printing with soybean oil ink etc.).

• Fragrance / scent: though not heavily emphasized, some scent from botanical extracts (tea tree, mentha) may be present.

Bottom Line

The Mary & May Vegan Cica Tea Tree AHA PHA Blemish Toner is a well‑balanced, multi‑functional toner offering gentle exfoliation, sebum control, soothing action, and hydration in a single product. If used correctly — with attention to skin sensitivity, sun protection, and supporting hydration — it can be an excellent tool in a blemish‑fighting skincare routine.