L'Oréal Paris L'Oreal Men Expert Hydra Energetic Deep Exfoliating Face Scrub

L'Oréal Paris L'Oreal Men Expert Hydra Energetic Deep Exfoliating Face Scrub

Efficacy37/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Cleansing
Sodium laureth sulfate, Xanthan gum + 6 more
Can be harsh
What the product description says
“This intensely texturised formula is infused with natural exfoliating particles that work to buff away dirt and impurities, while helping to unclog pores.”
Source: Lookfantastic

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin.

It contains the following cleansing agents that tend to be harsh on the skin: sodium laureth sulfate.

The following cleansing agents are typically mild, but still can cause an irritation or allergy for some people coco-glucoside, decyl glucoside.

Keep in mind that cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.

Sodium laureth sulfateEffect: HighWorks as a foaming cleansing agent~3.4–5.1%
Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~2–3.1%
Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oilEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~1.7–2.6%
Sodium lauroyl oat amino acidsEffect: High~1.3–1.9%
Coco-glucosideEffect: HighUsed as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating~0.85–1.3%
Decyl glucosideEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating~0.35–0.8%
Hydrogenated castor oilEffect: HighA 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~0.35–0.85%
Hydroxypropyl guarEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions~0.2–0.75%
Exfoliation
Salicylic acid ~0.1–0.35%, below the ~0.5% it needs
Under-dosed
What the product description says
“L'Oreal Men Expert Hydra Energetic Deep Exfoliating Face Scrub”
Source: Lookfantastic

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.

Salicylic acidUnder-dosedUsed 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)~0.1–0.35%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
4 strong irritants: Mentha piperita extract, Alcohol + 2 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 15 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Sodium laureth sulfateWorks as a foaming cleansing agentHigh~3.4–5.1%est.
Mentha piperita extractUsed as a fragrance and can be irritatingHigh~1.6–2.3%est.
Coco-glucosideUsed as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritatingHigh~0.85–1.3%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~0.45–1.05%est.
Decyl glucosideHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritatingHigh~0.35–0.8%est.
Salicylic acidUsed 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)High~0.1–0.35%est.
Ci 19140A yellow dyeHigh~0.05–0.25%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.01–0.05%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.01–0.05%est.
Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oilHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.7–2.6%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.35–0.85%est.
Hydrogenated castor oilA 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 consistencyMedium~0.35–0.85%est.
Hydroxypropyl guarUsed to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsionsMedium~0.2–0.75%est.
Pentylene glycolUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product textureMedium~0.3–0.7%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.15–0.5%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
Sodium laureth sulfateWorks as a foaming cleansing agent2/5~3.4–5.1%est.

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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
Perlite~5.4–8.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A type of volcanic glass. Absorbs moisture and can temporarily mattify the skin

More about Perlite
Glycerin~3.9–5.8%
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
Sodium laureth sulfate~3.4–5.1%
Comedogenic 2/5Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
Cleansing

Works as a foaming cleansing agent

More about Sodium laureth sulfate
Xanthan gum~2–3.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil~1.7–2.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil
Mentha piperita extract~1.6–2.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance and can be irritating

More about Mentha piperita extract
Sodium lauroyl oat amino acids~1.3–1.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Sodium lauroyl oat amino acids
Silica~1.2–1.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to absorb oil and can temporarily mattify skin

More about Silica
Coco-glucoside~0.85–1.3%
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
Alcohol~0.45–1.05%
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
Disodium edta~0.35–0.85%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Hydrogenated castor oil~0.35–0.85%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
CleansingMoisturizingAnti-inflammatory

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 oil
Hydrogenated jojoba oil~0.4–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Hydrogenated jojoba oil
Hydroxypropyl guar~0.2–0.75%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions

More about Hydroxypropyl guar
Pentylene glycol~0.3–0.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture

More about Pentylene glycol
Decyl glucoside~0.35–0.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating

More about Decyl glucoside
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Salicylic acid~0.1–0.35%
Under-dosedIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryAnti-blemishExfoliationAntibacterialEvens skin tone

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 acid
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Ci 19140~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A yellow dye

More about Ci 19140
Ci 42053~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Ci 42053
Ci 77007~0.05–0.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A blue pigment

More about Ci 77007
Limonene~0.01–0.05%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

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

More about Limonene
Parfum~0.01–0.05%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Ingredient list view

Water, Perlite, Glycerin, Sodium laureth sulfate, Xanthan gum, Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil, Mentha piperita extract, Sodium lauroyl oat amino acids, Silica, Coco-glucoside, Alcohol, Disodium edta, Hydrogenated castor oil, Hydrogenated jojoba oil, Hydroxypropyl guar, Pentylene glycol, Decyl glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium benzoate, Salicylic acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ci 19140, Ci 42053, Ci 77007, Limonene, 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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
L'Oréal ParisL'Oreal Men Expert Hydra Energetic Deep Exfoliating Face ScrubYOUR PRODUCTEucerinDermoPure Triple Effect Cleansing GelPeter Thomas RothIrish Moor Mud Cleansing GelMerci HandyFacial Cleansing Gel
Match—85%84%83%
Price—$29.45——
Shared key ingredients—5 of 114 of 115 of 11
Key difference—GluconolactoneLactic AcidNiacinamide
Irritancy High Medium Medium Medium
Drying alcohol Contains 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 13 studies and safety reviews.

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L'Oréal Paris L'Oreal Men Expert Hydra Energetic Deep Exfoliating Face Scrub
L'Oréal ParisL'Oreal Men Expert Hydra Energetic Deep Exfoliating Face Scrub

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

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.