Desert Essence Cucumber Charcoal Facial Mask
Works for
MoisturizingGlycerin, Avena sativa kernel flour + 6 moreWorks
“Highly absorbent Bentonite Clay and cleansing Australian Tea Tree Oil help boost skin clarity, while cooling Cucumber and Aloe hydrate and soothe.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
avena sativa kernel flour, glycerin.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: caprylic/capric triglyceride, cocos nucifera oil.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Melaleuca alternifolia leaf water, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~23–34%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceKaolin~4.7–7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of clay that consists mainly of aluminum silicate. Helps absorb oil and creates a thicker product consistency. Can be used to add a white color
More about KaolinClay~4.5–6.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can absorb oil. There is no research confirming other benefits for the skin
More about ClayGlycerin~3.4–5%
- 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 GlycerinBentonite~2.7–4%
Magnesium aluminum silicate~1.9–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and, when combined with zinc carbonate and malonic acid, reducing fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating elastin production. Also helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Magnesium aluminum silicateMelaleuca alternifolia leaf water~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Avena sativa kernel flour~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of colloidal oatmeal. Can contain potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Is effective in supporting skin barrier
More about Avena sativa kernel flourCaprylic/capric triglyceride~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideCharcoal powder~1.1–1.6%
Cocos nucifera oil~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic
More about Cocos nucifera oilMelaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilCucumis sativus fruit extract~0.4–0.9%
- 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 extractEucalyptus globulus leaf oil~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be very irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Eucalyptus globulus leaf oilSimmondsia chinensis seed oil~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilMenthol~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Cetearyl alcohol~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholDehydroacetic acid~0.1–0.4%
Benzyl alcohol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholCitric acid~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidPotassium sorbate~0.1–0.4%
Water~0.1–0.3%
Ingredient list view
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Kaolin, Clay, Glycerin, Bentonite, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf water, Avena sativa kernel flour, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Unknown, Charcoal powder, Cocos nucifera oil, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Menthol, Cetearyl alcohol, Dehydroacetic acid, Benzyl alcohol, Citric acid, Potassium sorbate, Water
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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.
| Desert EssenceCucumber Charcoal Facial MaskYOUR PRODUCT | SheaMoistureAfrican Black Soap Problem Skin Facial Mask | Kiehl'sRare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque | NaturopathicaAmethyst Peace Mask | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 40% | 37% | 36% |
| Price | — | — | $34.23 | $68.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 4 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | Titanium Dioxide | Sunflower Seed Oil |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Aveeno Oat Face Mask with Pumpkin Seed ExtractThank Goat Hydration Mask
Product summary
"Desert Essence - Cucumber Charcoal Facial Mask" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Humectants (avena sativa kernel flour 1.40% - 2.10% and glycerin 3.40% - 5.00%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Desert Essence" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails from 8.23$ up to 10.29$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 4 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
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