Elemental Herbology Facial Cleansers Vital Cleanse Facial Cleanser
Works for
CleansingCocamidopropyl betaine, Polyglyceryl-4 caprate + 7 moreCleanses gently
“Facial Cleansers Vital Cleanse 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, fusel wheat bran/straw glycosides, glyceryl caprylate, polyglyceryl-4 caprate, polyglyceryl-5 oleate, sodium cocoyl glutamate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, xanthan gum) 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
ExfoliationNo ingredient credited for this claimNot delivered
“Vitamin C and papaya extract work in tandem to remove dead skin cells and promote the formation of new cells, reducing fine lines and wrinkles.”
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?
Irritancy10 strong irritants: Carica papaya fruit extract, Citrus nobilis peel oil + 8 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Mel~4.6–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and attract water to it
More about MelLeptospermum scoparium branch/leaf oil~4.2–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Honey~3.1–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the skin and might have some anti-bacterial properties. Can be an allergen
More about HoneyGlycerin~2.4–3%
- 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 GlycerinPolyglyceryl-4 caprate~2–2.4%
Cocamidopropyl betaine~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen
More about Cocamidopropyl betaineXanthan gum~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium lauroyl sarcosinate~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Sodium lauroyl sarcosinateCamellia sinensis leaf extract~1–1.2%
- 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 extractPyrus malus fruit extract~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content
More about Pyrus malus fruit extractPectin~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Chlorella vulgaris/lupinus albus protein ferment~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Xylitylglucoside~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function
More about XylitylglucosideAnhydroxylitol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrir function
More about AnhydroxylitolXylitol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function
More about XylitolAscorbic acid~0.45–0.7%
- 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 acidMalic acid~0.45–0.65%
Maltodextrin~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinMalpighia glabra fruit extract~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but research on its effectiveness is lacking
More about Malpighia glabra fruit extractCarica papaya fruit extract~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Caprylyl/capryl wheat bran/straw glycosides~0.45–0.7%
Fusel wheat bran/straw glycosides~0.3–0.6%
Citrus nobilis peel oil~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skin
More about Citrus nobilis peel oilCitrus paradisi peel oil~0.3–0.5%
Pelargonium graveolens flower oil~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Can be irritating. Can become an allergen with oxidation
More about Pelargonium graveolens flower oilPolyglyceryl-5 oleate~0.35–0.6%
Sodium cocoyl glutamate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium cocoyl glutamateGlyceryl caprylate~0.35–0.65%
- 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 caprylateHippophae rhamnoides oil~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A good emollient. Contains various ingredients including vitamins and fatty acids that could work in the skin to neutralize free radicals and minimize moisture loss - if enough of these compounds is able to penetrate the skin in an active form.
More about Hippophae rhamnoides oilHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 oilRosmarinus officinalis leaf extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractCitric acid~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium benzoate~0.3–0.5%
Potassium sorbate~0.3–0.5%
Phenoxyethanol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolBenzoic acid~0.25–0.45%
Dehydroacetic acid~0.2–0.35%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.35%
Citronellol~0.15–0.25%
Geraniol~0.15–0.25%
Linalool~0.15–0.3%
Citral~0.15–0.25%
Limonene~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneIngredient list view
Water, Mel, Leptospermum scoparium branch/leaf oil, Honey, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-4 caprate, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Xanthan gum, Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Pyrus malus fruit extract, Pectin, Chlorella vulgaris/lupinus albus protein ferment, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Ascorbic acid, Malic acid, Maltodextrin, Malpighia glabra fruit extract, Carica papaya fruit extract, Caprylyl/capryl wheat bran/straw glycosides, Fusel wheat bran/straw glycosides, Citrus nobilis peel oil, Citrus paradisi peel oil, Pelargonium graveolens flower oil, Polyglyceryl-5 oleate, Sodium cocoyl glutamate, Glyceryl caprylate, Hippophae rhamnoides oil, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, Citric acid, Sodium benzoate, Potassium sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic acid, Dehydroacetic acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Citral, Limonene, Unknown
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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.
| Elemental HerbologyFacial Cleansers Vital Cleanse Facial CleanserYOUR PRODUCT | megababeSpace Bar Detoxifying Charcoal Underarm Bar | Kate SomervilleDeliKate Soothing Cleanser | BiodermaAtoderm Shower Gel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 56% | 41% | 40% |
| Price | $62.00 | $15.94−$46.06 | $13.42−$48.58 | $7.52−$54.48 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 17 | 6 of 17 | 4 of 17 |
| Key difference | — | Glycolic Acid | Ceramide Ap | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
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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.
- 1
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- 4
- 5Air oxidation increases skin irritation from fragrance terpenesonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
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