Works for
ExfoliationSalicylic acidWorks well
“Salicylic Acid helps to exfoliate and clarify, helping to create a clearer, more even complexion.”
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: salicylic acid.
CleansingSodium lauroyl methyl isethionate, Cetearyl olivate + 6 moreCleanses gently
“Charcoal Face Cleanser”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cetearyl alcohol, cetearyl olivate, lauric acid, sodium laurate, sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate, sodium methyl isethionate, sorbitan olivate, 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.
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid, Lauric acidWorks well
“Use morning and night for a clear, clean and blemish-free complexion.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Alcohol, Echinacea angustifolia extractMedium risk
Comedogenic7 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale7 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate~10–13%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Works as a cleansing agent
More about Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionateCetearyl olivate~4–4.9%
Cetearyl alcohol~2.6–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholGlycerin~2.4–2.9%
- 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 GlycerinSorbitan olivate~1.9–2.3%
Benzyl alcohol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholCarrageenan~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps thicken the product formula and create a nice product formulation
More about CarrageenanXanthan gum~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCharcoal powder~1.2–1.5%
Butyrospermum parkii butter~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterCitric acid~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidCocos nucifera oil~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic
More about Cocos nucifera oilPrunus amygdalus dulcis oil~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin
More about Prunus amygdalus dulcis oilSalicylic acid~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidTheobroma cacao seed butter~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Theobroma cacao seed butterDehydroacetic acid~0.3–0.6%
Vitis vinifera seed oil~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties
More about Vitis vinifera seed oilAlthaea officinalis root extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help to reduce inflammation
More about Althaea officinalis root extractPogostemon cablin oil~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Alcohol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholTocopherol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 TocopherolEchinacea angustifolia extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that might contain antioxidants, have antibacterial effect and help reduce inflammation, but solid evidence is lacking. Can be irritating
More about Echinacea angustifolia extractOlus oil~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil from a mixture of different vegetables. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Olus oilCoffea arabica seed extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin
More about Coffea arabica seed extractGlycine soja oil~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
More about Glycine soja oilSodium methyl isethionate~0.15–0.25%
Lauric acid~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps water and oil mix together. Has anti-bacterial properties that might be helpful in preventing blemishes
More about Lauric acidZinc laurate~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium laurate~0.15–0.3%
Ingredient list view
Water, Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate, Cetearyl olivate, Cetearyl alcohol, Glycerin, Sorbitan olivate, Benzyl alcohol, Carrageenan, Xanthan gum, Charcoal powder, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Citric acid, Cocos nucifera oil, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil, Salicylic acid, Theobroma cacao seed butter, Dehydroacetic acid, Vitis vinifera seed oil, Althaea officinalis root extract, Pogostemon cablin oil, Alcohol, Tocopherol, Echinacea angustifolia extract, Olus oil, Coffea arabica seed extract, Glycine soja oil, Sodium methyl isethionate, Lauric acid, Zinc laurate, Sodium laurate
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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.
| frank bodyCharcoal Face CleanserYOUR PRODUCT | YEOUTHVitamin C Facial Cleanser Day/Night Cream | Eau Thermale AveneCleanance Acne Cleanser | AvèneCleanance Acne Medicated Clearing Gel Cleanser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 78% | 78% | 78% |
| Price | — | $41.90 | $20.61 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 17 | 5 of 17 | 5 of 17 |
| Key difference | — | Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate | Betaine | Betaine |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Prequel TRAVEL GLEANSER + SACeraVe Gel Moussant Anti-Imperfections
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 5A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
- 6
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