Elemental Herbology Cool and Clear Facial Cleanser
Works for
CleansingCocamidopropyl betaine, Lauryl glucoside + 10 moreCleanses gently
“Cool and Clear Facial Cleanser”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (caprylyl/capryl wheat bran/straw glycosides, cocamidopropyl betaine, decyl glucoside, fusel wheat bran/straw glycosides, glyceryl caprylate, glyceryl laurate, lauryl glucoside, polyglyceryl-4 caprate, polyglyceryl-5 oleate, sodium cocoyl glutamate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sucrose cocoate) 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, decyl glucoside
Anti-blemishAloe barbadensis leaf juice, Camellia sinensis leaf extractNot delivered
“Elemental Herbology's fragrance and soap-free cleanser combines purifying botanicals with protective antioxidants to gently dissolve impurities, clear the pores, balance sebum production and calm congested skin.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Lavandula angustifolia oil, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 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 betaineGlycerin~4.2–5.2%
- 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 GlycerinLauryl glucoside~3.8–4.7%
Sodium chloride~2.4–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideDecyl glucoside~2–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideSodium lauroyl sarcosinate~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Sodium lauroyl sarcosinatePolyglyceryl-4 caprate~1.4–1.8%
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~1.2–1.4%
- 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 juiceXylitylglucoside~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function
More about XylitylglucosideAnhydroxylitol~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrir function
More about AnhydroxylitolXylitol~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function
More about XylitolLavandula angustifolia oil~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Lavandula angustifolia oilCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractBisabolol~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololMelaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilPyrus malus fruit extract~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content
More about Pyrus malus fruit extractPectin~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Chlorella vulgaris/lupinus albus protein ferment~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Sucrose cocoate~0.3–0.55%
Caprylyl/capryl wheat bran/straw glycosides~0.4–0.6%
Fusel wheat bran/straw glycosides~0.3–0.5%
Polyglyceryl-5 oleate~0.25–0.5%
Sodium cocoyl glutamate~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium cocoyl glutamateGlyceryl caprylate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylateGlyceryl laurate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together and has an anti-microbial effect helping to preserve product formulations
More about Glyceryl laurateCitric acid~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidBenzoic acid~0.25–0.45%
Sodium benzoate~0.2–0.4%
Potassium sorbate~0.2–0.35%
Lactic acid~0.2–0.35%
- 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 acidDehydroacetic acid~0.15–0.25%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.3%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolFarnesol~0.1–0.15%
Linalool~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Glycerin, Lauryl glucoside, Sodium chloride, Decyl glucoside, Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, Polyglyceryl-4 caprate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Bisabolol, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Pyrus malus fruit extract, Pectin, Chlorella vulgaris/lupinus albus protein ferment, Sucrose cocoate, Caprylyl/capryl wheat bran/straw glycosides, Fusel wheat bran/straw glycosides, Polyglyceryl-5 oleate, Sodium cocoyl glutamate, Glyceryl caprylate, Glyceryl laurate, Citric acid, Benzoic acid, Sodium benzoate, Potassium sorbate, Lactic acid, Dehydroacetic acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Farnesol, Linalool, Unknown
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| Elemental HerbologyCool and Clear Facial CleanserYOUR PRODUCT | BiodermaAtoderm Shower Gel | DoréLa Micellaire | Kate SomervilleDeliKate™ Soothing Cleanser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 50% | 49% | 49% |
| Price | — | $7.52 | $28.00 | $13.38 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 17 | 3 of 17 | 4 of 17 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside | Ceramide Ap |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: ESPA Purifying Micellar CleanserMadara Cosmetics Micellar Water
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.