Mario Badescu AHA Botanical Body Soap
Works for
CleansingSodium laureth sulfateCan be harsh
“AHA Botanical Body Soap”
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.
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.
Anti-blemishGlycolic acidNot delivered
“Kicking 'buttne' and 'bacne' (AKA, blemishes on your bum and back) to the curb, this formula is a boon for spotty, bumpy, dull, dry or oily skin types.”
This product contains ingredients (glycolic acid) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
ExfoliationSide benefit the brand mentions · Glycolic acidWorks well
“Injected with a hard-working blend of fruit extracts to exfoliate, moisturise and uplift, use this formula to even texture, soften and brighten.”
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: glycolic acid.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy8 strong irritants: Citrus grandis fruit extract, Tilia cordata flower extract + 6 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
1 of 1 community members would buy it again.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Sodium laureth sulfate~10–13%
- Irritation risk
- High
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Works as a foaming cleansing agent
More about Sodium laureth sulfatePropylene glycol~4–4.9%
- 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 glycolGlycerin~3.1–3.7%
- 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 GlycerinSodium chloride~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideGlycolic acid~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
More about Glycolic acidCitrus grandis fruit extract~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Tilia cordata flower extract~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Panax ginseng root extract~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties, but solid evidence is lacking. It can be irritating
More about Panax ginseng root extractPanthenyl hydroxypropyl steardimonium chloride~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Phenoxyethanol~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin~0.6–0.85%
Parfum~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumSodium hydroxide~0.5–0.7%
Chlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Sodium sulfate~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve the product consistency and stabilize formulations
More about Sodium sulfateCaprylyl glycol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolLinalool~0.2–0.35%
Hexyl cinnamal~0.15–0.3%
Citronellol~0.15–0.25%
Limonene~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneBenzyl alcohol~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholGeraniol~0.05–0.1%
Ci 19140~0.05–0.1%
Ci 14700~0.05%
Ingredient list view
Water, Sodium laureth sulfate, Propylene glycol, Glycerin, Sodium chloride, Glycolic acid, Citrus grandis fruit extract, Tilia cordata flower extract, Panax ginseng root extract, Panthenyl hydroxypropyl steardimonium chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Sodium hydroxide, Chlorphenesin, Sodium sulfate, Caprylyl glycol, Linalool, Hexyl cinnamal, Citronellol, Limonene, Benzyl alcohol, Geraniol, Ci 19140, Ci 14700
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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.
| Mario BadescuAHA Botanical Body SoapYOUR PRODUCT | Natura BisséFacial Cleansing Gel with AHA | FreshHesperides Grapefruit Bath & Shower Gel | Laboratoire ACMSébionex Cleansing Gel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 61% | 59% | 59% |
| Price | $15.00 | $63.08+$48.08 | $23.99+$8.99 | $9.01−$5.99 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Vitamin C | Ammonium Glycolate |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | High | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: First Aid Beauty FAB Skin RevelationNassifMD Dermaceuticals Skin Perfecting Dual Action Face & Body Scrub with 10% Glycolic Acid
Product summary
"Mario Badescu - AHA Botanical Body Soap" is effective for: Evens skin tone, Exfoliation and Anti-aging
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product contains acids (glycolic acid 1.90% - 2.30%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants).
- Humectants (glycerin 3.10% - 3.70%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Mario Badescu" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 10.00CA$ in Canada, for 47.37A$ in Australia, for 14.00$ in the United States and from 7.96£ up to 31.88£ 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 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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