African Botanics Commiphora Face Cleanser
Works for
CleansingCocamidopropyl betaine, Lauryl glucoside + 2 moreCleanses gently
“Commiphora Face Cleanser”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cocamidopropyl betaine, coco-glucoside, glyceryl oleate, lauryl glucoside) and should be able to cleanse the skin gently. Still keep in mind that any cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.
Even though this formulation is mild, the following cleansing agents could trigger an irritation or allergy for some people: cocamidopropyl betaine, coco-glucoside, glyceryl oleate
ExfoliationMandelic acid, Allantoin + 2 moreWorks well
“A potent blend of clarifying acids such as Lactic (AHA), Mandelic (AHA), and Salicylic (BHA), carefully increases cell turnover, exfoliates dead skin, and cleans out clogged pores to help prevent blemishes, smooth skin texture, and minimize pores and redness.”
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: mandelic acid.
Anti-blemishNiacinamide, Mandelic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“Bulbinella Leaf, which cleanses skin of impurities, dirt, and makeup, also helps reduce redness associated with breakouts.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: mandelic acid
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Rosa damascena extract, Rosa damascena flower oil + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Cocamidopropyl betaine~8.7–10.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen
More about Cocamidopropyl betaineLauryl glucoside~5.2–6.4%
Coco-glucoside~4.2–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating
More about Coco-glucosideGlyceryl oleate~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Glyceryl oleateNiacinamide~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideGlycerin~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinSilk amino acids~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Silk amino acidsLactic acid~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidHydrolyzed wheat protein~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Avoid if sensitive to gluten
More about Hydrolyzed wheat proteinHydrolyzed wheat gluten~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydroxyethylcellulose~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseAllantoin~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinMandelic acid~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps shed the upper layer of dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing smoother, brighter skin. It can help to reduce hyperpigmentation. It has anti-bacterial properties, and might help to reduce blemishes, as well as fine lines and wrinkles. It is considered to be gentler than glycolic acid
More about Mandelic acidPotassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%
Aspalathus linearis leaf extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Plant extract that might have help to neutralize free radicals in skin, but evidence of effectiveness is skin is lacking
More about Aspalathus linearis leaf extractCommiphora wildii oil~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Rosa damascena extract~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Oil of a very fragrant pink rose used as fragrance in cosmetics. Extensive research has shown it has mixed benefits. In the pro column, inhaling this flower’s scent seems to have relaxing properties and the plant’s petals contain skin-soothing and antioxidant compounds that can benefit skin. On the flipside, the numerous chemicals that create this rose’s distinctive fragrance pose a risk of causing skin aggravation.
More about Rosa damascena extractPanthenol~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolSalicylic acid~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidCyclopia intermedia leaf extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Kigelia africana fruit extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Rosa damascena extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Oil of a very fragrant pink rose used as fragrance in cosmetics. Extensive research has shown it has mixed benefits. In the pro column, inhaling this flower’s scent seems to have relaxing properties and the plant’s petals contain skin-soothing and antioxidant compounds that can benefit skin. On the flipside, the numerous chemicals that create this rose’s distinctive fragrance pose a risk of causing skin aggravation.
More about Rosa damascena extractSclerocarya birrea seed oil~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps to soften the skin. It has a high contetn of oleic acid that might weaken the skin barrier. Might have some anti-oxidant properties. It might be somewhat helpful against hyperpigmentation.
More about Sclerocarya birrea seed oilHoney~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the skin and might have some anti-bacterial properties. Can be an allergen
More about HoneyRosa damascena flower oil~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Rosa damascena flower oilCucumis sativus fruit extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect
More about Cucumis sativus fruit extractPelargonium graveolens flower oil~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Can be irritating. Can become an allergen with oxidation
More about Pelargonium graveolens flower oilAloe ferox leaf extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopherol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolRosmarinus officinalis leaf oil~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin. Can be used as a fragrance. Has anti-bacterial properties and might help neutralize free radicals on the surface of the skin
More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oilSodium hydroxide~0.15–0.25%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Lauryl glucoside, Coco-glucoside, Glyceryl oleate, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Silk amino acids, Lactic acid, Hydrolyzed wheat protein, Hydrolyzed wheat gluten, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Allantoin, Mandelic acid, Potassium sorbate, Aspalathus linearis leaf extract, Commiphora wildii oil, Rosa damascena extract, Panthenol, Salicylic acid, Cyclopia intermedia leaf extract, Kigelia africana fruit extract, Rosa damascena extract, Sclerocarya birrea seed oil, Honey, Rosa damascena flower oil, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Pelargonium graveolens flower oil, Aloe ferox leaf extract, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil, Sodium hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.
Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| African BotanicsCommiphora Face CleanserYOUR PRODUCT | CeraVeGel Moussant Anti-Imperfections | Face factsCeramide Blemish Foaming Cleanser | Merci HandyFacial Cleansing Gel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 77% | 74% | 74% |
| Price | $65.00 | — | $7.82−$57.18 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 12 | 5 of 12 | 5 of 12 |
| Key difference | — | Glycolic Acid | Ceramide As | Zinc Gluconate |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Community Sixty-Six Detoxifying AHA/BHA Gel CleanserKmart 2 in 1 Deep Gel Cleanser and Makeup Eraser - Salicylic Acid & Vitamin B3
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 32 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Allergen of the Year—Alkyl Glucosidepracticeupdate.com
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.