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Dr. Botanicals Cucumber Cleansing Exfoliator
Dr. Botanicals

Dr. Botanicals Cucumber Cleansing Exfoliator

Efficacy0/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients

Works for

Exfoliation
No ingredient credited for this claim
Not delivered
What the product description says
“Cucumber Cleansing Exfoliator”
Source: Beauty Bay

This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.

Moisturizing
Side benefit · Prunus armeniaca kernel oil, Cetearyl alcohol + 7 more
Works

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: glycerin, hydrolyzed collagen.

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: cocos nucifera oil, helianthus annuus seed oil.

Prunus armeniaca kernel oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighAn emollient that helps soften the skin~4.1–6.2%
Cetearyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~3.1–4.7%
Helianthus annuus seed oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function~2.1–3.2%
Cocos nucifera oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighAn emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic~1.7–2.6%
Persea gratissima oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighAn emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function~0.45–1.1%
GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~0.4–0.95%
Avena sativa meal extractKey activeEffect: HighA type of oatmeal extract. Helps restore skin barrier and has antioxidant properties~0.1–0.35%
Hydrolyzed collagenKey active· Humectant, EmollientEffect: HighA typically plant-derived compound that is supposed mimic human collagen. Cannot penetrate the skin barrier so is not particularly useful in skincare products beyond attracting water to the upper layer of the skin~0.1–0.4%
Stearic acidEffect: Low, below effective doseHelps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient~0.35–0.8%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
4 strong irritants: Parfum, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde + 2 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 11 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.35–0.85%est.
Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehydeA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.2%est.
Hexyl cinnamalA fragrance with jasmine smell. A likely irritantHigh~0.05–0.15%est.
Butylphenyl methylpropionalA fragrance. Can trigger allergic reactions and be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.1%est.
Prunus armeniaca kernel oilAn emollient that helps soften the skinMedium~4.1–6.2%est.
Polysorbate 60Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~2.4–3.6%est.
Potassium cocoateHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agentMedium~1–1.5%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.5–1.15%est.
Persea gratissima oilAn emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier functionMedium~0.45–1.1%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.15–0.7%est.
Cucumis sativus extract—Medium~0.1–0.35%est.
Comedogenic
2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
2 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Cocos nucifera oilAn emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic3/5~1.7–2.6%est.
Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~3.1–4.7%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Prunus armeniaca kernel oil~4.1–6.2%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

An emollient that helps soften the skin

More about Prunus armeniaca kernel oil
Cetearyl alcohol~3.1–4.7%
Key activeComedogenic 2/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

More about Cetearyl alcohol
Polysorbate 60~2.4–3.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polysorbate 60
Helianthus annuus seed oil~2.1–3.2%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function

More about Helianthus annuus seed oil
Cocos nucifera oil~1.7–2.6%
Key activeComedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic

More about Cocos nucifera oil
Pumice~1.6–2.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Milled volcanic rock. Used as an abrasive for physical exfoliation

More about Pumice
Potassium oleate~1.2–1.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Potassium oleate
Potassium cocoate~1–1.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent

More about Potassium cocoate
Potassium citrate~0.8–1.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Potassium citrate
Citric acid~0.5–1.15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Persea gratissima oil~0.45–1.1%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function

More about Persea gratissima oil
Glycerin~0.4–0.95%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 Glycerin
Parfum~0.35–0.85%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Phenoxyethanol~0.2–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Stearic acid~0.35–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient

More about Stearic acid
Xanthan gum~0.15–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Avena sativa meal extract~0.1–0.35%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A type of oatmeal extract. Helps restore skin barrier and has antioxidant properties

More about Avena sativa meal extract
Cucumis sativus extract~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
More about Cucumis sativus extract
Hydrolyzed collagen~0.1–0.4%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A typically plant-derived compound that is supposed mimic human collagen. Cannot penetrate the skin barrier so is not particularly useful in skincare products beyond attracting water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Hydrolyzed collagen
Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde
Hexyl cinnamal~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance with jasmine smell. A likely irritant

More about Hexyl cinnamal
Butylphenyl methylpropional~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can trigger allergic reactions and be irritating

More about Butylphenyl methylpropional
Ingredient list view

Water, Prunus armeniaca kernel oil, Cetearyl alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Cocos nucifera oil, Pumice, Potassium oleate, Potassium cocoate, Potassium citrate, Citric acid, Persea gratissima oil, Glycerin, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Stearic acid, Xanthan gum, Avena sativa meal extract, Cucumis sativus extract, Hydrolyzed collagen, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde, Hexyl cinnamal, Butylphenyl methylpropional

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
Dr. BotanicalsCucumber Cleansing ExfoliatorYOUR PRODUCTBaxter of CaliforniaFacial ScrubNIP+FABVitamin C Fix Scrub 75mEstime SensHUMAN Tonic Scrub
Match—34%33%33%
Price—$22.00——
Shared key ingredients—3 of 73 of 73 of 7
Key difference—PanthenolCamellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Irritancy High High Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 5 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Effect of Olive and Sunflower Seed Oil on the Adult Skin Barrier: Implications for Neonatal Skin Careonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  2. 2
    Topically Applied Sunflower Seed Oil Prevents Invasive Bacterial Infections in Preterm Infants in Egyptjournals.lww.com
  3. 3
    Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  4. 4
    Impact of topical oils on the skin barrier: possible implications for neonatal health in developing countriesonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  5. 5
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Dr. Botanicals Cucumber Cleansing Exfoliator
Dr. BotanicalsCucumber Cleansing Exfoliator
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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.