Etude House

Etude House Detoxifying Black Charcoal Cleanser

Name: Etude House - Detoxifying Black Charcoal Cleanser
Brand: Etude House

Efficacy75/100IrritancyMedium·

See all ingredients

Works for

Cleansing

Sodium lauroyl glutamate, Sodium cocoyl glutamate + 5 more

Cleanses gently

What the product description says

“Detoxifying Black Charcoal Cleanser”

Source: Beautylish

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (ceteth-25, oleth-10, peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate, polysorbate 20, sodium cocoyl glutamate, sodium lauroyl glutamate, 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.

Sodium lauroyl glutamateEffect: HighUsed as a cleansing agent. It creates foam~3.3–5%

Sodium cocoyl glutamateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~3.2–4.8%

Peg-120 methyl glucose dioleateEffect: High~2.3–3.5%

Polysorbate 20Effect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~1.7–2.5%

Ceteth-25Effect: High~0.15–0.6%

Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~0.05–0.2%

Oleth-10Effect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.05–0.3%

Anti-blemish

Glycolic acid

Not delivered

What the product description says

“This black cleanser heats up on contact with the skin to effectively open and declog the pores.”

Source: Sephora New Zealand

This product contains ingredients (glycolic acid) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.

Glycolic acidEffect: MediumAn 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~0.8–1.2%

Exfoliation

Side benefit the brand mentions · Glycolic acid

Works well

What the product description says

“Improves the skin’s appearance and texture by accelerating the exfoliation process.”

Source: Sephora

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~0.8–1.2%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

2 strong irritants: Pelargonium graveolens flower oil, Citrus paradisi seed extract

Medium risk

We flagged 10 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

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~0.8–1.2%est.

Pelargonium graveolens flower oilAn essential oil. Can be irritating. Can become an allergen with oxidationHigh~0.35–0.8%est.

Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extractA plant extract that might contain antioxidantsHigh~0.15–0.55%est.

Citrus paradisi seed extract—High~0.05–0.15%est.

Cynara scolymus leaf extractA plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties. It might be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.15%est.

Sodium cocoyl glutamateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~3.2–4.8%est.

Sodium lauroyl glutamateUsed as a cleansing agent. It creates foamMedium~3.3–5%est.

Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractA plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicalsMedium~0.55–1.3%est.

Ascorbyl glucosideA vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in productsMedium~0.4–0.95%est.

Oleth-10Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.05–0.3%est.

Comedogenic

Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients

None flagged

Alternatives

Cheaper, or higher on efficacy

CeraVe Gel Moussant Anti-Imperfections

Higher efficacy · 100/10052% match

Acnecide Purifide Ph Control Face Wash

CheaperHigher efficacy · 100/10051% match

$13.29

View all alternatives

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Glycereth-26~22–33%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Helps create a thicker product consistency

More about Glycereth-26

Glycerin~3.3–5%

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

Sodium cocoyl glutamate~3.2–4.8%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sodium cocoyl glutamate

Sodium lauroyl glutamate~3.3–5%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Used as a cleansing agent. It creates foam

More about Sodium lauroyl glutamate

Peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate~2.3–3.5%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

More about Peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate

Polysorbate 20~1.7–2.5%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polysorbate 20

Butylene glycol~1.2–1.9%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Butylene glycol

Water~1–1.45%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.55–1.3%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Reduces rednessEvens skin toneAnti-oxidationAnti-inflammatoryAntibacterial

A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals

More about Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract

Glycolic acid~0.8–1.2%

Key activeIrritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

ExfoliationAnti-agingEvens skin toneAnti-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

Charcoal powder~0.9–1.35%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Benefits for the skin are not clear

More about Charcoal powder

Ascorbyl glucoside~0.4–0.95%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Anti-agingAnti-oxidationEvens skin tone

A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products

More about Ascorbyl glucoside

Pelargonium graveolens flower oil~0.35–0.8%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Anti-oxidation

An essential oil. Can be irritating. Can become an allergen with oxidation

More about Pelargonium graveolens flower oil

Glucosyl hesperidin~0.2–0.75%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

Might be able to neutralize free radicals in skin. Also works as a humectant

More about Glucosyl hesperidin

Simmondsia chinensis seed extract~0.4–0.95%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Simmondsia chinensis seed extract

Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract~0.15–0.55%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that might contain antioxidants

More about Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract

Ceteth-25~0.15–0.6%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

More about Ceteth-25

Oleth-10~0.05–0.3%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Oleth-10

Citrus paradisi seed extract~0.05–0.15%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

More about Citrus paradisi seed extract

Xanthan gum~0.05–0.2%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum

Cynara scolymus leaf extract~0.05–0.15%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties. It might be irritating

More about Cynara scolymus leaf extract

Ingredient list view

Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Sodium cocoyl glutamate, Sodium lauroyl glutamate, Peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate, Polysorbate 20, Butylene glycol, Water, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Glycolic acid, Charcoal powder, Ascorbyl glucoside, Pelargonium graveolens flower oil, Glucosyl hesperidin, Simmondsia chinensis seed extract, Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract, Ceteth-25, Oleth-10, Citrus paradisi seed extract, Xanthan gum, Cynara scolymus leaf 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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
	Etude HouseDetoxifying Black Charcoal CleanserYOUR PRODUCT	CeraVeGel Moussant Anti-Imperfections	AcnecidePurifide Ph Control Face Wash	BiodermaSébium Active Foaming Gel
Match	—	52%	51%	47%
Price	$24.00	—	$13.29−$10.71	$11.40−$12.60
Shared key ingredients	—	3 of 12	4 of 12	3 of 12
Key difference	—	Salicylic Acid	Niacinamide	Salicylic Acid
Irritancy	Medium	Low	Medium	Medium
Drying alcohol	—	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop