MONSTER FACTORY Charcoal Cleansing Dream
Works for
CleansingMyristic acid, Stearic acid + 5 moreCleanses gently
“Charcoal Cleansing Dream”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cetearyl alcohol, cetearyl glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine, lauric acid, myristic acid, sorbitan olivate, stearic acid) 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: cocamidopropyl betaine
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · Lactobionic acid, AllantoinWorks well
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: lactobionic acid.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Zanthoxylum piperitum fruit extract, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf waterMedium risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Myristic acid~7–8.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic
More about Myristic acidStearic acid~4.5–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidGlycerin~3–3.7%
- 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 GlycerinPotassium hydroxide~2.3–2.8%
Lauric acid~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps water and oil mix together. Has anti-bacterial properties that might be helpful in preventing blemishes
More about Lauric acidCharcoal powder~1.8–2.1%
Cocamidopropyl betaine~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen
More about Cocamidopropyl betaineCetearyl glucoside~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideButylene glycol~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolDiospyros kaki leaf extract~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Vitis vinifera fruit extract~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin, but is less potent than the extract from the seeds
More about Vitis vinifera fruit extractCoffea arabica seed extract~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin
More about Coffea arabica seed extractCarthamus tinctorius flower extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polygonum cuspidatum root extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can contain resveratrol, an antioxidant that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. The effectiveness depends on the extract quality and concentration in the product
More about Polygonum cuspidatum root extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractCastanea crenata shell extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Zanthoxylum piperitum fruit extract~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that has some anti-oxidant properties. It can be irritating. Can be used to improve the product's smell
More about Zanthoxylum piperitum fruit extractSolanum melongena fruit extract~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Eggplant fruit extract. Might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Solanum melongena fruit extractCentella asiatica extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.
More about Centella asiatica extractMelaleuca alternifolia leaf water~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Allantoin~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinPanthenol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolLupeol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Madecassic acid~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An active compound of Centella Asiatica plant extract. In combination with other active compounds of Centella Asiatica extract (asiaticoside, madecasosside and asiatic acid), madecassic acid has been shown to be helpful in wound-healing, restoring skin barrier function and supporting collagen production in skin. It can, however, itself be irritating
More about Madecassic acidAsiaticoside~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An active compound of Centella Asiatica plant extract. In combination with other active compounds of Centella Asiatica extract (madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid), asiaticoside has been shown to be helpful in wound-healing, restoring skin barrier function and supporting collagen production in skin. It can, however, itself be irritating
More about AsiaticosideAsiatic acid~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An active compound of Centella Asiatica plant extract. In combination with other active compounds of Centella Asiatica extract (asiaticoside, madecasosside and madecassic acid) asiatic acid has been shown to be helpful in wound-healing, restoring skin barrier function and supporting collagen production in skin. It can, however, itself be irritating
More about Asiatic acidSorbitan olivate~0.25–0.45%
Cetearyl alcohol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholLactobionic acid~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing a smoother, more even skin. PHAs tend to be gentler on the skin compared to AHAs (for example, glycolic acid). It also has hydrating properties and helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It can help calm down inflammation in skin and support restoration of the barrier function. It has an anti-oxidant effect as well. It can help reduce fine line, wrinkles and improve skin elasticity
More about Lactobionic acidSodium polyacrylate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylatePolyquaternium-7~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish
More about Polyquaternium-71,2-hexanediol~0.1–0.2%
Benzyl glycol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps dissolve other ingredients and preserve products
More about Benzyl glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.15%
Raspberry ketone~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. It can reduce skin pigmentation, but it is not safe to use for these purposes in high concentrations as use of raspberry ketone and its derivative is linked to causing loss of skin pigmentation in people (leukoderma)
More about Raspberry ketoneDisodium edta~0.01–0.05%
Ingredient list view
Water, Myristic acid, Stearic acid, Glycerin, Potassium hydroxide, Lauric acid, Charcoal powder, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Cetearyl glucoside, Butylene glycol, Diospyros kaki leaf extract, Vitis vinifera fruit extract, Coffea arabica seed extract, Carthamus tinctorius flower extract, Polygonum cuspidatum root extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Castanea crenata shell extract, Zanthoxylum piperitum fruit extract, Solanum melongena fruit extract, Centella asiatica extract, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf water, Allantoin, Panthenol, Lupeol, Madecassic acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic acid, Sorbitan olivate, Cetearyl alcohol, Lactobionic acid, Sodium polyacrylate, Polyquaternium-7, 1,2-hexanediol, Benzyl glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Raspberry ketone, Disodium edta
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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.
| MONSTER FACTORYCharcoal Cleansing DreamYOUR PRODUCT | moonshotPerfect Cleansing Foam | PhilosophyNature In A Jar Gentle Detoxifying Cleanser With Agave | TAEKOCleansing Foam | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 46% | 41% | 40% |
| Price | $19.60 | $13.90−$5.70 | $27.93+$8.33 | $34.60+$15.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 17 | 5 of 17 | 4 of 17 |
| Key difference | — | Hyaluronic Acid | Jojoba Oil | Alcaligenes Polysaccharides |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Nivea Men Deep White Oil Clear Mud Foamthe Torriden Store Balanceful Cica Cleansing Gel
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 26 studies and safety reviews.
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