Dr Dennis Gross Botanical Cleansing Bar
Works for
CleansingSodium palmate, Sodium cocoate + 1 moreCleanses gently
“Botanical Cleansing Bar”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (palmitic acid, sodium cocoate, sodium palmate) 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.
ExfoliationRetinyl palmitateNot delivered
“Benefits Immediately exfoliate Papaya fruit extract gently exfoliates the skin.”
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium dulcis oil, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil + 5 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Sodium palmate~25–38%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Works as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Sodium palmateSodium cocoate~8.1–12.2%
Water~4.8–7.1%
Palmitic acid~3.4–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidButyrospermum parkii butter~2.9–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterAloe barbadensis leaf extract~2.3–3.5%
- 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 extractCitrus aurantium dulcis oil~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. It can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis oilRosmarinus officinalis leaf oil~1.4–2.1%
- 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 oilGlycerin~1.1–1.7%
- 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 GlycerinSodium chloride~0.9–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideCitrus aurantium dulcis peel powder~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~0.5–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilHypnea musciformis extract~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Hypnea musciformis extractGelidiella acerosa extract~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
An algae extract that can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Gelidiella acerosa extractSargassum filipendula extract~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sorbitol~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about SorbitolCarica papaya fruit extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Tetrasodium edta~0.1–0.45%
Ascorbic acid~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
More about Ascorbic acidTetrasodium etidronate~0.05–0.3%
Retinyl palmitate~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitatePunica granatum extract~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and even out the skin tone, but is typically used in products in a concentration that is too low to be effective
More about Punica granatum extractIngredient list view
Sodium palmate, Sodium cocoate, Water, Palmitic acid, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis oil, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil, Glycerin, Sodium chloride, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel powder, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Hypnea musciformis extract, Gelidiella acerosa extract, Sargassum filipendula extract, Sorbitol, Carica papaya fruit extract, Tetrasodium edta, Ascorbic acid, Tetrasodium etidronate, Retinyl palmitate, Punica granatum extract
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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.
| Dr Dennis GrossBotanical Cleansing BarYOUR PRODUCT | SheaMoistureAfrican Black Soap Acne-Prone Face & Body Bar | Grandpa Soap Co.Pine Tar Bar Soap | OlayUltra Moisture Bath Bars 2 bars, each | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 38% | 35% | 34% |
| Price | $25.00 | — | $4.59−$20.41 | $2.65−$22.35 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 7 | 3 of 7 | 4 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Sodium Palm Kernelate | Sodium Palm Kernelate | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: John Masters Organics Face & Body Soap Bar With Lavender & Ylang YlangClinique Facial Soap
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Air oxidation increases skin irritation from fragrance terpenesonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6Occupational contact dermatitis due to essential oilsonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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