Garnier Pure Active Intensive Blackhead Exfoliating Face Scrub
Works for
ExfoliationCapryloyl salicylic acid, Zinc gluconate + 1 moreWorks well
“Pure Active Intensive Blackhead Exfoliating Face Scrub”
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: capryloyl salicylic acid.
Evens skin toneCapryloyl salicylic acid, Salicylic acid + 1 moreMay help
“The concentrated formula, enriched with a well-known anti-bacterial ingredient and powerful micro-beads, helps clear spots and blackheads. 2.”
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: capryloyl salicylic acid.
Anti-blemishCapryloyl salicylic acid, Zinc gluconate + 1 moreNot delivered
“Pure Active Intensive Blackhead Exfoliating Face Scrub”
This product contains ingredients (capryloyl salicylic acid) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Glycerin, Cetyl alcohol + 8 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:
copper pca, glycerin.
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, cetyl alcohol.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Menthol, ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~3.7–5.5%
- 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 GlycerinCetyl alcohol~3.2–4.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholStearic acid~2.4–3.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidPeg-7 glyceryl cocoate~1.9–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oils and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Peg-7 glyceryl cocoateSodium laureth sulfate~1.8–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Works as a foaming cleansing agent
More about Sodium laureth sulfatePalmitic acid~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidSteareth-21~1.2–1.8%
Perlite~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of volcanic glass. Absorbs moisture and can temporarily mattify the skin
More about PerliteSalicylic acid~0.45–1.1%
- 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 acidCoco-betaine~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Can be allergenic
More about Coco-betaineAmmonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateCapryloyl salicylic acid~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Ci 19140~0.2–0.75%
Ci 42090~0.15–0.7%
Ci 77007~0.15–0.7%
Ultramarines~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Copper pca~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Copper pcaHydrogenated castor oil~0.15–0.6%
- 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~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated jojoba oilMenthol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Myristic acid~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic
More about Myristic acidPentasodium ethylenediamine tetramethylene phosphonate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polysorbate 60~0.1–0.5%
Propylene glycol~0.1–0.4%
- 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 glycolSilica~0.15–0.65%
Sodium chloride~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideSodium hydroxide~0.1–0.35%
Sorbitol~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about SorbitolTetrasodium edta~0.05–0.2%
Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract~0.05–0.2%
- 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 extractZinc gluconate~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Typically used to stabilize the product formulations. It is a salt of a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) and in larger concentrations, can help shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. It can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals, but solid research is missing. Due to the zinc content, might help calm down inflammation in skin
More about Zinc gluconateParfum~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Cetyl alcohol, Stearic acid, Peg-7 glyceryl cocoate, Sodium laureth sulfate, Palmitic acid, Steareth-21, Perlite, Salicylic acid, Coco-betaine, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Capryloyl salicylic acid, Ci 19140, Ci 42090, Ci 77007, Ultramarines, Copper pca, Hydrogenated castor oil, Hydrogenated jojoba oil, Menthol, Myristic acid, Pentasodium ethylenediamine tetramethylene phosphonate, Polysorbate 60, Propylene glycol, Silica, Sodium chloride, Sodium hydroxide, Sorbitol, Tetrasodium edta, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, Zinc gluconate, Parfum, Unknown
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
.png)
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 Intensive Blackhead Exfoliating Face ScrubYOUR PRODUCT | AbibGreen LHA Pore Pad Clear Touch | Kiehl'sRockin' Hits Vault | Some By MiMiracle AC Clear Spot Treatment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 80% | 79% | 79% |
| Price | — | $18.60 | — | $11.32 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine | Madecassoside |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | High | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Codexial Enoliss Perfect Skin Spot Scrub Purifying Anti-Marks Correcting CareDeviant Skincare Gentle Resurfacing Liquid
Product summary
"Garnier Pure Active - Pure Active Intensive Blackhead Exfoliating Face Scrub" is effective for: Anti-inflammatory and Exfoliation
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing and Evens skin tone, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Salicylic acid (0.45% - 1.10%). This is an oil-soluble exfoliating acid. Because of this property, it can work inside pores and help reduce the congestion. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and is used to treat acne. Because it is a quite strong exfoliator, be careful with using this product too often: it could result in over-exfoliation.
- Humectants (glycerin 3.70% - 5.50% and copper pca 0.15% - 0.55%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Garnier Pure Active" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails from 3.99£ up to 5.10£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 22 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 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
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.