Etude House Thermal Black Cleanser

Etude House Thermal Black Cleanser

Efficacy75/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Cleansing
Sodium cocoyl glutamate, Polysorbate 20 + 5 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Thermal Black Cleanser”
From product name

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 cocoyl glutamateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~3.3–4.9%
Polysorbate 20Effect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~3.2–4.8%
Sodium lauroyl glutamateEffect: HighUsed as a cleansing agent. It creates foam~2.4–3.6%
Ceteth-25Effect: High~0.4–0.9%
Peg-120 methyl glucose dioleateEffect: High~0.4–0.9%
Oleth-10Effect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.2–0.75%
Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~0.1–0.35%
Anti-blemish
Glycolic acid
Not delivered
What the product description says
“Its gel texture transforms into a gentle and effective lather to dissolve oil and makeup, rinsing away pore-clogging surface debris, impurities, and excess oil.”
Source: Sephora CA

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~0.45–1%
Exfoliation
Side benefit · Glycolic acid
Works well

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~0.45–1%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
3 strong irritants: Rosa damascena extract, Citrus paradisi seed extract + 1 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 11 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extractA plant extract that might contain antioxidantsHigh~1.3–2%est.
Rosa damascena extractOil of a very fragrant pink rose used as fragrance in cosmetics. Extensive research has shown it has mixed benefits. In the pro column, inhaling this flower’s scent seems to have relaxing properties and the plant’s petals contain skin-soothing and antioxidant compounds that can benefit skin. On the flipside, the numerous chemicals that create this rose’s distinctive fragrance pose a risk of causing skin aggravation.High~1.1–1.6%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~0.45–1%est.
Citrus paradisi seed extract—High~0.1–0.4%est.
Pelargonium graveolens flower oilAn essential oil. Can be irritating. Can become an allergen with oxidationHigh~0.05–0.2%est.
Sodium cocoyl glutamateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~3.3–4.9%est.
Sodium lauroyl glutamateUsed as a cleansing agent. It creates foamMedium~2.4–3.6%est.
Simmondsia chinensis leaf extractA plant extract that might have an antioxidant effect and help attract water to the upper layer of the skinMedium~1.7–2.6%est.
Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractA plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicalsMedium~0.8–1.2%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~0.8–1.2%est.
Oleth-10Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.2–0.75%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Glycereth-26~23–34%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps create a thicker product consistency

More about Glycereth-26
Glycerin~3.8–5.8%
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~3.3–4.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sodium cocoyl glutamate
Polysorbate 20~3.2–4.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polysorbate 20
Sodium lauroyl glutamate~2.4–3.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Used as a cleansing agent. It creates foam

More about Sodium lauroyl glutamate
Simmondsia chinensis leaf extract~1.7–2.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

A plant extract that might have an antioxidant effect and help attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Simmondsia chinensis leaf extract
Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract~1.3–2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that might contain antioxidants

More about Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract
Rosa damascena extract~1.1–1.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Oil of a very fragrant pink rose used as fragrance in cosmetics. Extensive research has shown it has mixed benefits. In the pro column, inhaling this flower’s scent seems to have relaxing properties and the plant’s petals contain skin-soothing and antioxidant compounds that can benefit skin. On the flipside, the numerous chemicals that create this rose’s distinctive fragrance pose a risk of causing skin aggravation.

More about Rosa damascena extract
Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.8–1.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryReduces rednessEvens skin toneAnti-oxidationAntibacterial

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
Ascorbyl glucoside~0.8–1.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-agingEvens 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
Alpha
Not recognized
Glucosyl hesperidin~0.5–1.2%
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
Glycolic acid~0.45–1%
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
Peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate~0.4–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate
Ceteth-25~0.4–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Ceteth-25
Oleth-10~0.2–0.75%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Oleth-10
Butylene glycol~0.15–0.55%
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
Citrus paradisi seed extract~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · high
Xanthan gum~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Water~0.05–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Charcoal powder~0.1–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Benefits for the skin are not clear

More about Charcoal powder
Pelargonium graveolens flower oil~0.05–0.2%
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
Ingredient list view

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

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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 HouseThermal Black CleanserYOUR PRODUCTAcnecidePurifide Ph Control Face WashMesoesteticPurifying Mousse CleanserSkinCeuticalsGentle Cleanser Cream
Match—51%48%47%
Price—$13.29$41.37$53.69
Shared key ingredients—4 of 113 of 113 of 11
Key difference—NiacinamideLactobionic AcidAllantoin
Irritancy High Medium Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.

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Etude House Thermal Black Cleanser
Etude HouseThermal Black Cleanser

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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.