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Laura Mercier Cleansing Oil
Laura Mercier

Laura Mercier Cleansing Oil

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients

Works for

Cleansing
Pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, Diisostearyl malate + 1 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Cleansing Oil”
Source: Lookfantastic

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (diisostearyl malate, pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, sorbeth-30 tetraisostearate) 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.

Pentaerythrityl tetraisostearateEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~3.2–4.7%
Diisostearyl malateEffect: HighHelps to soften the upper layer of the skin~2.7–4.1%
Sorbeth-30 tetraisostearateEffect: High~1.5–2.2%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
4 strong irritants: Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, Rosa gallica flower extract + 2 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 10 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractCan be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritatingHigh~0.45–1%est.
Rosa gallica flower extract—High~0.15–0.55%est.
Rosa damascena flower oilUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.5%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.05–0.25%est.
Pentaerythrityl tetraisostearateUsed to create a thicker product consistencyMedium~3.2–4.7%est.
Diisostearyl malateHelps to soften the upper layer of the skinMedium~2.7–4.1%est.
Moringa oleifera seed oilA plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acidMedium~0.45–1%est.
Macadamia ternifolia seed oilPlant oil from nuts that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Contains a high concentration of oleic acid that can weaken skin's barrier function and increase water-loss while enhancing penetration of other ingredientsMedium~0.4–0.9%est.
Potassium sorbateA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.25%est.
Sorbic acidA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.2%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
Porphyridium cruentum extractA red algae extract. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have an antioxidant effect3/5~0.15–0.6%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Carthamus tinctorius seed oil~23–34%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

An emollient that helps soften the skin and might help calm down inflammation

More about Carthamus tinctorius seed oil
Pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate~5.1–7.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to create a nice product consistency while softening the upper layer of the skin

More about Pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate
Pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate~3.2–4.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate
C9-12 alkane~3.5–5.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps dissolve other ingredients in a formulation

More about C9-12 alkane
Diisostearyl malate~2.7–4.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Diisostearyl malate
Squalane~2.2–3.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.

More about Squalane
Sorbeth-30 tetraisostearate~1.5–2.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Sorbeth-30 tetraisostearate
Oryza sativa bran extract~1.3–1.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to thicken the product consistency

More about Oryza sativa bran extract
Coco-caprylate/caprate~1.1–1.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture

More about Coco-caprylate/caprate
Helianthus annuus extract~0.95–1.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Helianthus annuus extract
Tocopherol~0.55–1.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-agingMoisturizingAnti-inflammatory

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 Tocopherol
Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract~0.45–1%
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
Borago officinalis seed oil~0.45–1.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryMoisturizingReduces irritationAnti-oxidation

A plant oil that is effective in reducing irritation in skin, restore the barrier function and support its hydration

More about Borago officinalis seed oil
Moringa oleifera seed oil~0.45–1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acid

More about Moringa oleifera seed oil
Sea water~0.35–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Dissolves other ingredients. It does not have additional skin benefits compared to plain water

More about Sea water
Macadamia ternifolia seed oil~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Plant oil from nuts that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Contains a high concentration of oleic acid that can weaken skin's barrier function and increase water-loss while enhancing penetration of other ingredients

More about Macadamia ternifolia seed oil
Glycerin~0.35–0.85%
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
Aleurites moluccanus seed oil~0.2–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Aleurites moluccanus seed oil
Rhus verniciflua peel wax~0.15–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Rhus verniciflua peel wax
Rosa gallica flower extract~0.15–0.55%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Rosa gallica flower extract
Porphyridium cruentum extract~0.15–0.6%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

A red algae extract. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have an antioxidant effect

More about Porphyridium cruentum extract
Rosa damascena flower oil~0.1–0.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Moisturizing

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Rosa damascena flower oil
Water~0.1–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Parfum~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Propanediol~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

More about Propanediol
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Potassium sorbate~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Potassium sorbate
Sorbic acid~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Sorbic acid
Ingredient list view

Carthamus tinctorius seed oil, Pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate, Pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, C9-12 alkane, Diisostearyl malate, Squalane, Sorbeth-30 tetraisostearate, Oryza sativa bran extract, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Helianthus annuus extract, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, Borago officinalis seed oil, Moringa oleifera seed oil, Sea water, Macadamia ternifolia seed oil, Glycerin, Aleurites moluccanus seed oil, Rhus verniciflua peel wax, Rosa gallica flower extract, Porphyridium cruentum extract, Rosa damascena flower oil, Water, Parfum, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium sorbate, Sorbic acid

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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
Laura MercierCleansing OilYOUR PRODUCTILLIYOONGentle Deep Cleansing OilinnisfreeMoisturizing cleansing oilbareMineralsSMOOTHNESS Hydrating Cleansing Oil
Match—32%32%31%
Price—$21.40—$34.46
Shared key ingredients—2 of 111 of 115 of 11
Key difference—Lactic AcidCaprylic/Capric TriglycerideJojoba Oil
Irritancy High Medium Medium High
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Safety Assessment of Pentaerythrityl Tetraesters as Used in Cosmeticsjournals.sagepub.com
  2. 2
    Safety Assessment of Pentaerythrityl Tetraesters as Used in Cosmeticsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
  4. 4
    Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
  6. 6
    Allergic contact dermatitis induced by rosemary leaf extract in a cleansing gelpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Laura Mercier Cleansing Oil
Laura MercierCleansing Oil
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