SheaMoisture

SheaMoisture African Black Soap Bamboo Charcoal Detoxifying Toner

Name: SheaMoisture - African Black Soap Bamboo Charcoal Detoxifying Toner
Brand: SheaMoisture

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh

See all ingredients

Works for

Cleansing

Sodium palm kernelate, Sodium shea butterate + 1 more

Cleanses gently

What the product description says

“It effectively removes residual oil and dirt while improving the appearance of pores without stripping the skin.”

Source: Walgreens

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (sodium cocoate, sodium palm kernelate, sodium shea butterate) 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.

Sodium palm kernelateEffect: High~0.55–1.25%

Sodium shea butterateEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together~0.2–0.75%

Sodium cocoateEffect: HighWorks as a cleansing agent~0.15–0.55%

Exfoliation

Side benefit · Gluconolactone, Salicylic acid + 1 more

Works 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: gluconolactone, salicylic acid.

GluconolactoneKey activeEffect: HighA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals~2.6–3.9%

Salicylic acidKey activeEffect: HighUsed 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)~1.1–1.6%

AllantoinEffect: Low, below effective doseHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.4–0.9%

Anti-blemish

Side benefit the brand mentions · Salicylic acid, Gluconolactone + 2 more

Works well

What the product description says

“This concentrated facial toner with clarifying African Black Soap plus detoxifying Bamboo Charcoal helps balance oily, blemish-prone skin.”

Source: Walgreens

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.

The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: gluconolactone

Salicylic acidHeroEffect: HighUsed 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)~1.1–1.6%

GluconolactoneKey activeEffect: MediumA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals~2.6–3.9%

Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceEffect: LowTraditionally 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~2–3%

AllantoinEffect: Low, below effective doseHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.4–0.9%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

3 strong irritants: Hamamelis virginiana extract, Calendula officinalis flower extract + 1 more — patch-test recommended

High risk

We flagged 12 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Hamamelis virginiana extractA plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritatingHigh~3.5–5.2%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~1.1–1.6%est.

Calendula officinalis flower extractA plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritatingHigh~0.2–0.8%est.

Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilAn essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial propertiesHigh~0.15–0.65%est.

Isopropyl alcoholA drying alcohol. Can increase skin's sensitivity and cause dryness and irritationHigh~0.05–0.15%est.

GluconolactoneA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicalsMedium~2.6–3.9%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~2–3%est.

Avena sativa bran extract—Medium~0.5–1.15%est.

Sodium shea butterateHelps water and oil mix togetherMedium~0.2–0.75%est.

Sodium cocoateWorks as a cleansing agentMedium~0.15–0.55%est.

Caprylhydroxamic acidA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.2%est.

Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.05–0.25%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

Butyrospermum parkii butterA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals3/5~1.3–2%est.

Alternatives

Cheaper, or higher on efficacy

Carbon Theory Charcoal & Tea Tree Oil Cleansing Wash

Cheaper73% match

$9.99

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Cheaper72% match

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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

Glycerin~4.1–6.1%

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

Hamamelis virginiana extract~3.5–5.2%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Anti-inflammatory

A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating

More about Hamamelis virginiana extract

Gluconolactone~2.6–3.9%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Anti-agingEvens skin toneExfoliationMoisturizingAnti-blemishAnti-oxidation

A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals

More about Gluconolactone

Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~2–3%

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

Sodium phytate~1.6–2.5%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to stabilize product formulations

More about Sodium phytate

Salicylic acid~1.1–1.6%

Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Anti-blemishExfoliationAnti-inflammatoryAntibacterialEvens 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

Butyrospermum parkii butter~1.3–2%

Comedogenic 3/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 3/5

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals

More about Butyrospermum parkii butter

Charcoal powder~1.2–1.8%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Benefits for the skin are not clear

More about Charcoal powder

Panthenol~0.55–1.35%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Reduces rednessMoisturizingReduces irritation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function

More about Panthenol

Allantoin~0.4–0.9%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryReduces irritationReduces rednessAnti-blemishExfoliation

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

More about Allantoin

Avena sativa bran extract~0.5–1.15%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

More about Avena sativa bran extract

Calendula officinalis flower extract~0.2–0.8%

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

Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~0.15–0.65%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Antibacterial

An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties

More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil

Tocopherol~0.15–0.65%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Anti-oxidationAnti-agingAnti-inflammatoryMoisturizing

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

Sodium palm kernelate~0.55–1.25%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

More about Sodium palm kernelate

Sodium shea butterate~0.2–0.75%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Sodium shea butterate

Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.35%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate

Sodium cocoate~0.15–0.55%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Works as a cleansing agent

More about Sodium cocoate

Theobroma cacao (cocoa) pod ash

Not recognized

Caprylhydroxamic acid~0.05–0.2%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about Caprylhydroxamic acid

Isopropyl alcohol~0.05–0.15%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

A drying alcohol. Can increase skin's sensitivity and cause dryness and irritation

More about Isopropyl alcohol

Caprylyl glycol~0.05–0.25%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol

Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Hamamelis virginiana extract, Gluconolactone, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Sodium phytate, Salicylic acid, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Charcoal powder, Panthenol, Allantoin, Avena sativa bran extract, Calendula officinalis flower extract, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Tocopherol, Sodium palm kernelate, Sodium shea butterate, Sodium benzoate, Sodium cocoate, Unknown, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Isopropyl alcohol, Caprylyl glycol

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/10 00:37 GMT

$15.00

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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
	SheaMoistureAfrican Black Soap Bamboo Charcoal Detoxifying TonerYOUR PRODUCT	OdaciteBlue Aura \| Turmeric + Holy Basil • Cleansing Water	Dr. Barbara SturmCleanser	Oce’aneFacial tonic with aloe Vera
Match	—	79%	76%	74%
Price	$15.00	$39.00+$24.00	$67.36+$52.36	$18.21+$3.21
Shared key ingredients	—	3 of 10	3 of 10	2 of 10
Key difference	—	Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride	Urea	Polyglutamic Acid
Irritancy	High	High	Low	Medium
Drying alcohol	Contains drying alcohol	Contains drying alcohol	—	—
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