Garnier Pure Active Anti-Blackhead Charcoal Exfoliating Gel
Works for
Anti-blemishSalicylic acidWorks well
“Garnier Pure Active Anti-Blackhead Charcoal Exfoliating Gel reduces blackheads and pimples and helps prevent their recurrence.”
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.
ExfoliationSalicylic acidWorks well
“Pure Active Anti-Blackhead Charcoal Exfoliating Gel”
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.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Glycerin, Hydrogenated jojoba oil + 4 moreWorks
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, propylene glycol.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: hydrogenated jojoba oil, hydrogenated castor oil.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium 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%
Sodium laureth sulfate~11–13%
- Irritation risk
- High
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Works as a foaming cleansing agent
More about Sodium laureth sulfatePerlite~3.9–4.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of volcanic glass. Absorbs moisture and can temporarily mattify the skin
More about PerliteSalicylic acid~1.25–2.5%
- 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 acidSodium chloride~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideAcrylates copolymer~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize product formulation, help create an even product layer over skin (for example, in sunscreen) and create a thicker product consistency
More about Acrylates copolymerCoco-betaine~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Can be allergenic
More about Coco-betaineCocamide mea~1.4–1.7%
Glycerin~1.2–1.5%
- 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 GlycerinCharcoal powder~1.2–1.4%
Ci 77499~0.7–1%
Citric 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 acidHydrogenated castor oil~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency
More about Hydrogenated castor oilHydrogenated jojoba oil~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated jojoba oilPolyglycerin-10~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyglyceryl-10 myristate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyglyceryl-10 stearate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together and softens the upper layer of the skin
More about Polyglyceryl-10 stearatePpg-5-ceteth-20~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A solvent with some emollient properties
More about Ppg-5-ceteth-20Propylene glycol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolSodium dehydroacetate~0.15–0.3%
Sodium hydroxide~0.15–0.3%
Sorbitol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about SorbitolTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateVaccinium myrtillus fruit extract~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but research on its efficacy in skin is lacking
More about Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extractParfum~0.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Sodium laureth sulfate, Perlite, Salicylic acid, Sodium chloride, Acrylates copolymer, Coco-betaine, Cocamide mea, Glycerin, Charcoal powder, Ci 77499, Citric acid, Hydrogenated castor oil, Hydrogenated jojoba oil, Polyglycerin-10, Polyglyceryl-10 myristate, Polyglyceryl-10 stearate, Ppg-5-ceteth-20, Propylene glycol, Sodium dehydroacetate, Sodium hydroxide, Sorbitol, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, Parfum
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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.
| GarnierPure Active Anti-Blackhead Charcoal Exfoliating GelYOUR PRODUCT | CeraVeBlemish Control Gel Moisturiser with 2% Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide for Blemish-Prone Skin | NeutrogenaAll in 1 Acne Control Daily Scrub Acne Treatment | Skin ControlPeel Pads | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 91% | 86% | 86% |
| Price | — | $11.89 | — | $7.46 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Steareth-21 | Gluconolactone |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: AcneFree Dermatology Inspired Care Blackhead Removing Scrub With Charcoalcolibri skincare 2% BHA Peeling
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 4A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
- 5
- 6
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