John Masters Organics Exfoliating Face Cleanser with Jojoba & Ginseng

John Masters Organics Exfoliating Face Cleanser with Jojoba & Ginseng

Efficacy50/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Cleansing
Coco-glucoside, Coconut alcohol + 3 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Exfoliating Face Cleanser with Jojoba & Ginseng”
Source: Mankind

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (coco-glucoside, coconut alcohol, glyceryl caprylate, lauryl glucoside, 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.

Even though this formulation is mild, the following cleansing agents could trigger an irritation or allergy for some people: coco-glucoside

Coco-glucosideEffect: HighUsed as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating~2.7–4%
Coconut alcoholEffect: High~1.9–2.9%
Lauryl glucosideEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.4–0.9%
Glyceryl caprylateEffect: HighAn emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products~0.35–0.8%
Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~0.15–0.65%
Exfoliation
No ingredient credited for this claim
Not delivered
What the product description says
“Exfoliating Face Cleanser with Jojoba & Ginseng”
Source: Mankind

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.

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
9 strong irritants: Citrus hystrix peel oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil + 7 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 16 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Coco-glucosideUsed as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritatingHigh~2.7–4%est.
Panax ginseng root extractA plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties, but solid evidence is lacking. It can be irritatingHigh~0.85–1.25%est.
Citrus hystrix peel oil—High~0.45–1.05%est.
Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilAn essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.4–1%est.
Citrus reticulata peel oilAn essential oil used for fragrance. Can be an allergen and irritantHigh~0.4–0.9%est.
Cananga odorata flower oilAn essential oil. Can be irritatingHigh~0.4–0.9%est.
Calendula officinalis flower extractA plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritatingHigh~0.35–0.85%est.
Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractCan be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritatingHigh~0.35–0.75%est.
AlcoholCan be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial propertiesHigh~0.15–0.55%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.1–0.4%est.
LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.4%est.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skinMedium~23–34%est.
Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrateA preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determineMedium~1.2–1.8%est.
Lauryl glucosideHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.4–0.9%est.
Potassium sorbateA preservativeMedium~0.15–0.55%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.1–0.5%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Triticum vulgare germ oilA good emoillient. Contains vitamin E which can help neutralise free radicals, however the oil is unstable. Avoid if you have gluten or wheat sensitivity (including food allergies).3/5~1.2–1.7%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~23–34%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAntibacterialAnti-inflammatoryReduces rednessReduces irritationAnti-blemishAnti-aging

Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin

More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juice
Helianthus annuus seed oil~4.7–7.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function

More about Helianthus annuus seed oil
Simmondsia chinensis seed wax~4.5–6.7%
Formula
Glycerin~3.4–5%
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
Coco-glucoside~2.7–4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Used as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating

More about Coco-glucoside
Coconut alcohol~1.9–2.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Coconut alcohol
Glycerin~1.5–2.3%
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
Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~1.2–1.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determine

More about Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate
Triticum vulgare germ oil~1.2–1.7%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

A good emoillient. Contains vitamin E which can help neutralise free radicals, however the oil is unstable. Avoid if you have gluten or wheat sensitivity (including food allergies).

More about Triticum vulgare germ oil
Arctostaphylos uva ursi leaf extract~0.9–1.4%
Formula
Panax ginseng root extract~0.85–1.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidation

A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties, but solid evidence is lacking. It can be irritating

More about Panax ginseng root extract
Calophyllum inophyllum seed oil~0.55–1.25%
Formula
Citrus hystrix peel oil~0.45–1.05%
Irritant · high
Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.4–1%
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 reticulata peel oil~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An essential oil used for fragrance. Can be an allergen and irritant

More about Citrus reticulata peel oil
Cananga odorata flower oil~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An essential oil. Can be irritating

More about Cananga odorata flower oil
Calendula officinalis flower extract~0.35–0.85%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritating

More about Calendula officinalis flower extract
Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract~0.35–0.75%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-blemishAnti-oxidationAntibacterial

Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating

More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract
Lauryl glucoside~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Lauryl glucoside
Sodium phytate~0.2–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize product formulations

More about Sodium phytate
Glyceryl caprylate~0.35–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products

More about Glyceryl caprylate
Sclerotium gum~0.2–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions

More about Sclerotium gum
Xanthan gum~0.15–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Potassium sorbate~0.15–0.55%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Potassium sorbate
Alcohol~0.15–0.55%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Antibacterial

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 Alcohol
Citric acid~0.1–0.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Limonene~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene
Linalool~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool
Ingredient list view

Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Simmondsia chinensis seed wax, Glycerin, Coco-glucoside, Coconut alcohol, Glycerin, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Triticum vulgare germ oil, Arctostaphylos uva ursi leaf extract, Panax ginseng root extract, Calophyllum inophyllum seed oil, Citrus hystrix peel oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Citrus reticulata peel oil, Cananga odorata flower oil, Calendula officinalis flower extract, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, Lauryl glucoside, Sodium phytate, Glyceryl caprylate, Sclerotium gum, Xanthan gum, Potassium sorbate, Alcohol, Citric acid, Limonene, Linalool

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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
John Masters OrganicsExfoliating Face Cleanser with Jojoba & GinsengYOUR PRODUCTOdaciteGentle Rejuvenating CleanserROUND LAB1025 Dokdo Bubble FoamAdorn CosmeticsNatural Soothing Cleansing Milk | Refillable
Match—38%33%33%
Price—$40.00$13.02—
Shared key ingredients—8 of 94 of 94 of 9
Key difference—Hydrogenated LecithinSalicylic AcidNiacinamide
Irritancy High Medium Medium Medium
Drying alcohol Contains drying alcohol ———
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.

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John Masters Organics Exfoliating Face Cleanser with Jojoba & Ginseng
John Masters OrganicsExfoliating Face Cleanser with Jojoba & Ginseng

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.