Joanna Vargas

Joanna Vargas Exfoliating Face Mask

Name: Joanna Vargas - Exfoliating Face Mask
Brand: Joanna Vargas

Efficacy0/100IrritancyHigh

See all ingredients

Works for

Exfoliation

Lactic acid ~0.1–0.45%, below the ~2% it needs + 1 more

Under-dosed

What the product description says

“Exfoliating Face Mask”

Source: Sephora New Zealand

This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.

Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)~0.1–0.45%

GluconolactoneUnder-dosedA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals~0.01–0.1%

Moisturizing

Side benefit · Glycerin, Saccharum officinarum extract + 5 more

Works

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": galactoarabinan, glycerin.

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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~2.7–4%

Saccharum officinarum extractKey activeEffect: HighSugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~2–3%

GalactoarabinanKey active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.35–0.8%

LactoseKey active· HumectantEffect: MediumHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.2–0.8%

Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.15–0.55%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

4 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract + 2 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

Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extractA plant extract that is used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivityHigh~1.4–2.1%est.

Citrus limon fruit extractUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivityHigh~1–1.5%est.

Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilAn essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.25%est.

Citrus grandis peel oilA plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skinHigh~0.05–0.15%est.

Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extractA plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but research on its efficacy in skin is lackingMedium~1.6–2.5%est.

Acer saccharum extractA plant extract that contains small percentage of AHAs. Is unlikely to have any skin benefit due the small concentration of the active compoundsMedium~1.2–1.8%est.

Tapioca starchUsed to create a thicker product consistencyMedium~0.8–1.25%est.

GalactoarabinanHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skinMedium~0.35–0.8%est.

Lactic acidAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)Medium~0.1–0.45%est.

Triethyl citrateUsed as a fragrance. Rarely causes irritationMedium~0.05–0.25%est.

GluconolactoneA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicalsMedium~0.01–0.1%est.

Comedogenic

Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients

None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Kaolin~4.4–6.6%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MattifyingAnti-blemish

A type of clay that consists mainly of aluminum silicate. Helps absorb oil and creates a thicker product consistency. Can be used to add a white color

More about Kaolin

Pumice~3.7–5.6%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Milled volcanic rock. Used as an abrasive for physical exfoliation

More about Pumice

Glycerin~2.7–4%

Key active

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

Saccharum officinarum extract~2–3%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Saccharum officinarum extract

Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract~1.6–2.5%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Anti-oxidation

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 extract

Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~1.4–2.1%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

A plant extract that is used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivity

More about Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract

Acer saccharum extract~1.2–1.8%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A plant extract that contains small percentage of AHAs. Is unlikely to have any skin benefit due the small concentration of the active compounds

More about Acer saccharum extract

Citrus limon fruit extract~1–1.5%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity

More about Citrus limon fruit extract

Tapioca starch~0.8–1.25%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Tapioca starch

Mica~0.6–1.35%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light

More about Mica

Titanium dioxide~0.55–1.35%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Sun protection

Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin

More about Titanium dioxide

Iron oxides~0.4–0.95%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Sun protection

An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear

More about Iron oxides

Galactoarabinan~0.35–0.8%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Galactoarabinan

Lactose~0.2–0.8%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Lactose

Bromelain~0.15–0.65%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Bromelain

Sodium hyaluronate~0.15–0.55%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate

Xanthan gum~0.15–0.5%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum

Lactic acid~0.1–0.45%

Under-dosedIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Evens skin toneMoisturizingExfoliationAnti-aging

An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)

More about Lactic acid

Cellulose gum~0.1–0.35%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions

More about Cellulose gum

Triethyl citrate~0.05–0.25%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Used as a fragrance. Rarely causes irritation

More about Triethyl citrate

Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.05–0.25%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating

More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil

Citrus grandis peel oil~0.05–0.15%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skin

More about Citrus grandis peel oil

Gluconolactone~0.01–0.1%

Under-dosedIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

ExfoliationMoisturizingAnti-agingEvens skin toneAnti-oxidationAnti-blemish

A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals

More about Gluconolactone

Sodium benzoate~0.05–0.15%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate

Ingredient list view

Water, Kaolin, Pumice, Glycerin, Saccharum officinarum extract, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Acer saccharum extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Tapioca starch, Mica, Titanium dioxide, Iron oxides, Galactoarabinan, Lactose, Bromelain, Sodium hyaluronate, Xanthan gum, Lactic acid, Cellulose gum, Triethyl citrate, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Citrus grandis peel oil, Gluconolactone, Sodium benzoate

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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
	Joanna VargasExfoliating Face MaskYOUR PRODUCT	LAGOMWhite Kaolin Mud Mask	Farmacy BeautyBright On Clay Mask	CliniqueEven Better Brighter Moisture Mask
Match	—	40%	39%	39%
Price	—	$24.13	—	$56.38
Shared key ingredients	—	4 of 6	4 of 6	3 of 6
Key difference	—	Niacinamide	Betaine	Ascorbyl Glucoside
Irritancy	High	Medium	High	Medium
Drying alcohol	—	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop