Elemental Herbology Bio-Cellular Super Cleanse

Elemental Herbology Bio-Cellular Super Cleanse

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Cleansing
Cetearyl olivate, Sorbitan olivate
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Elemental Herbology Bio-Cellular Super Cleanse is a deluxe rich milk cleanser providing Omega 3, 6 and 9.”
Source: Lookfantastic

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cetearyl olivate, sorbitan olivate) 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.

Cetearyl olivateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~1.2–1.8%
Sorbitan olivateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.15–0.55%
Exfoliation
Side benefit the brand mentions · Glycolic acid, Lactic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“Essential Actives , Apple AHA’s rich in Malic Acid exfoliates dead surface cells to help improve the skin’s texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
Source: Feelunique

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: glycolic acid.

Glycolic acidKey activeEffect: HighAn alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid~0.15–0.6%
Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn 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)~0.15–0.55%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
4 strong irritants: Lavandula angustifolia oil, Linalool + 2 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 16 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Lavandula angustifolia oilAn essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial propertiesHigh~0.4–0.95%est.
Glycolic acidAn alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acidHigh~0.15–0.6%est.
Benzyl alcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.4%est.
LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.1%est.
GeraniolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.01–0.05%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.01–0.05%est.
Adansonia digitata seed oilHelps soften the upper layer of the skinMedium~2–3.1%est.
Macadamia ternifolia seed oilPlant oil from nuts that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Contains a high concentration of oleic acid that can weaken skin's barrier function and increase water-loss while enhancing penetration of other ingredientsMedium~1.7–2.5%est.
Argania spinosa kernel oilAn emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant propertiesMedium~1–1.5%est.
Rosa canina fruit oilA great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritatingMedium~0.6–1.4%est.
Pyrus malus fruit extractCan have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar contentMedium~0.35–0.75%est.
Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitateA vitamin C derivative. Studies show that is might be effective in reducing hyperpigmentation, but there are no studies confirming that it is effectively converted into the bioavailable form of Vitamin C in skin. It is not clear how this derivative compares in effectiveness to the topical application of bioavailable form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)Medium~0.15–0.65%est.
Lactic acidAn 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)Medium~0.15–0.55%est.
Caprylhydroxamic acidA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.35%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.1–0.3%est.
Potassium sorbateA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.2%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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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
Propanediol~4.4–6.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

More about Propanediol
Saccharomyces/xylinum/black tea ferment~3.4–5.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A fermented sweet black tea. There is no studies on particular benefits of this ingredient in skin. It can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin, and might have some anti-oxidant effect. It is used in skincare for mostly marketing purposes because of the popularity of kombucha drinks

More about Saccharomyces/xylinum/black tea ferment
Hydroxystearyl alcohol~2.6–3.9%
Formula
Adansonia digitata seed oil~2–3.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Adansonia digitata seed oil
Macadamia ternifolia seed oil~1.7–2.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Plant oil from nuts that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Contains a high concentration of oleic acid that can weaken skin's barrier function and increase water-loss while enhancing penetration of other ingredients

More about Macadamia ternifolia seed oil
Camellia sinensis seed oil~1.4–2.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-agingAnti-oxidation

A plant oil that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help restore the skin barrier. Might have some anti-oxidant effect

More about Camellia sinensis seed oil
Cetearyl olivate~1.2–1.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Cetearyl olivate
Argania spinosa kernel oil~1–1.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties

More about Argania spinosa kernel oil
Rosa canina fruit oil~0.6–1.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

A great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritating

More about Rosa canina fruit oil
Lavandula angustifolia oil~0.4–0.95%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties

More about Lavandula angustifolia oil
Pyrus malus fruit extract~0.35–0.75%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

Can have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content

More about Pyrus malus fruit extract
Malic acid~0.15–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps adjust the product pH

More about Malic acid
Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate~0.15–0.65%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidationEvens skin toneAnti-agingMoisturizing

A vitamin C derivative. Studies show that is might be effective in reducing hyperpigmentation, but there are no studies confirming that it is effectively converted into the bioavailable form of Vitamin C in skin. It is not clear how this derivative compares in effectiveness to the topical application of bioavailable form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)

More about Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate
Glycolic acid~0.15–0.6%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Evens skin toneAnti-agingExfoliationAnti-blemish

An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid

More about Glycolic acid
Lactic acid~0.15–0.55%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
ExfoliationEvens skin toneMoisturizingAnti-aging

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 acid
Glycerin~0.15–0.7%
Formula
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
Sclerotium gum~0.15–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions

More about Sclerotium gum
Sorbitan olivate~0.15–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sorbitan olivate
Benzyl alcohol~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating

More about Benzyl alcohol
Hydroxystearyl glucoside~0.1–0.4%
Formula
Caprylhydroxamic acid~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Caprylhydroxamic acid
Citric acid~0.1–0.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

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

More about Citric acid
Tocopherol~0.1–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-agingAnti-inflammatoryMoisturizing

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 Tocopherol
Glucose~0.05–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function

More about Glucose
Potassium sorbate~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Potassium sorbate
Sodium benzoate~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Linalool~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool
Geraniol~0.01–0.05%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Geraniol
Limonene~0.01–0.05%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene
Ingredient list view

Water, Propanediol, Saccharomyces/xylinum/black tea ferment, Hydroxystearyl alcohol, Adansonia digitata seed oil, Macadamia ternifolia seed oil, Camellia sinensis seed oil, Cetearyl olivate, Argania spinosa kernel oil, Rosa canina fruit oil, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Pyrus malus fruit extract, Malic acid, Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, Glycolic acid, Lactic acid, Glycerin, Sclerotium gum, Sorbitan olivate, Benzyl alcohol, Hydroxystearyl glucoside, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Citric acid, Tocopherol, Glucose, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Linalool, Geraniol, Limonene

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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
Elemental HerbologyBio-Cellular Super CleanseYOUR PRODUCTYEOUTHVitamin C Facial Cleanser Day/Night CreamBiodermaSébium Active Foaming GelLieracDouble Cleanser Micellar Milk-in-Water
Match—49%48%48%
Price—$41.90$11.40$30.76
Shared key ingredients—3 of 82 of 82 of 8
Key difference—Sodium Ascorbyl PhosphateSalicylic AcidLactic Acid
Irritancy High Medium Medium High
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.

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Elemental Herbology Bio-Cellular Super Cleanse
Elemental HerbologyBio-Cellular Super Cleanse

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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.