What's In My Jar
SheaMoisture African Black Soap Bamboo Charcoal Gelee Moisturizer
SheaMoisture

SheaMoisture African Black Soap Bamboo Charcoal Gelee Moisturizer

Efficacy50/100IrritancyMedium
See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing
Panthenol, Glycerin + 6 more
Works well
What the product description says
“African Black Soap Bamboo Charcoal Gelee Moisturizer”
From product name

This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.

The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water. When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job: glycerin, caprylyl glycol.

This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: caprylic/capric triglyceride, cocos nucifera oil.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol

PanthenolHero· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~1–1.45%
GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~4.9–7.3%
Caprylic/capric triglycerideKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~1.8–2.6%
Elaeis guineensis oilKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.3–0.75%
Cocos nucifera oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighAn emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic~0.15–0.7%
Caprylyl glycol· Humectant, EmollientEffect: LowHelps preserve products and creates a nice product texture~0.1–0.35%
Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceEffect: Low, below effective doseTraditionally 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~1.4–2.1%
AllantoinUnder-dosedHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.5–1.15%
Anti-blemish
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Allantoin
Not delivered
What the product description says
“This gel infuses your skin with ultra-light hydration, while helping to give oily, blemish-prone skin clarifying balance.”
Source: Shea Moisture

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.

Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceEffect: Low, below effective doseTraditionally 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~1.4–2.1%
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~0.5–1.15%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Parfum
Medium risk
We flagged 8 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilAn essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial propertiesHigh~0.4–0.95%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.01–0.05%est.
Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinMedium~1.8–2.6%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~1.4–2.1%est.
Avena sativa bran extract—Medium~0.45–1.05%est.
Triethyl citrateUsed as a fragrance. Rarely causes irritationMedium~0.05–0.3%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.1–0.35%est.
Benzoic acidA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.2%est.
Comedogenic
2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
2 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
Cocos nucifera oilAn emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic3/5~0.15–0.7%est.
Theobroma cacao extract—3/5~0.15–0.55%est.
Alternatives
Cheaper, or higher on efficacy
Hydrating Face Moisturizer
Disco Hydrating Face Moisturizer
Higher efficacy · 75/10059% match
Body Lotion with Niacinamide and Ceramide Technology, Skin Care, 24 hour Long-lasting Moisturiser, for Dry, Itchy, Sensitive and Eczema-prone Skin, Non-comedogenic
Cetaphil Body Lotion with Niacinamide and Ceramide Technology, Skin Care, 24 hour Long-lasting Moisturiser, for Dry, Itchy, Sensitive and Eczema-prone Skin, Non-comedogenic
Higher efficacy · 100/10059% match
View all alternatives

User reviews

Would you recommend?
No community reviews yet.

Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.

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~4.9–7.3%
Key active
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
Lithium magnesium sodium silicate~3.9–5.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Lithium magnesium sodium silicate
Crambe abyssinica seed oil phytosterol esters~2.8–4.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Crambe abyssinica seed oil phytosterol esters
Xanthan gum~1.9–2.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~1.8–2.6%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin

More about Caprylic/capric triglyceride
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~1.4–2.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingReduces irritationReduces rednessAnti-inflammatoryAntibacterialAnti-agingAnti-blemish

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
Butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter
Not recognized
Bisabolol~1.2–1.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Reduces irritationAnti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidation

An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties

More about Bisabolol
Panthenol~1–1.45%
Hero · Moisturizing
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingReduces rednessReduces irritation

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

More about Panthenol
Allantoin~0.5–1.15%
Under-dosed
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryMoisturizingReduces 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
Charcoal powder~0.85–1.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Benefits for the skin are not clear

More about Charcoal powder
Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~0.4–0.95%
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
Avena sativa bran extract~0.45–1.05%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
More about Avena sativa bran extract
Elaeis guineensis oil~0.3–0.75%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Elaeis guineensis oil
Cocos nucifera oil~0.15–0.7%
Key activeComedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic

More about Cocos nucifera oil
Theobroma cacao extract~0.15–0.55%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
More about Theobroma cacao extract
Triethyl citrate~0.05–0.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used as a fragrance. Rarely causes irritation

More about Triethyl citrate
Caprylyl glycol~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Benzoic acid~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Benzoic acid
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, Glycerin, Lithium magnesium sodium silicate, Crambe abyssinica seed oil phytosterol esters, Xanthan gum, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Unknown, Bisabolol, Panthenol, Allantoin, Charcoal powder, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Avena sativa bran extract, Elaeis guineensis oil, Cocos nucifera oil, Theobroma cacao extract, Triethyl citrate, Caprylyl glycol, Benzoic acid, Parfum

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Amazon US
Price unavailable Out of stock
Check

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

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 Gelee MoisturizerYOUR PRODUCTCetaphilBody Lotion with Niacinamide and Ceramide Technology, Skin Care, 24 hour Long-lasting Moisturiser, for Dry, Itchy, Sensitive and Eczema-prone Skin, Non-comedogenicDiscoHydrating Face MoisturizerMustelaCicastela Repairing Cream
Match—59%59%59%
Price———$15.97
Shared key ingredients—4 of 64 of 64 of 6
Key difference—Hydroxypalmitoyl SphinganineSodium Ascorbyl PhosphateButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
View product Shop Shop Shop
  • matches yours
  • differs
  • cheaper

More alternatives: Obagi IDR Exfoliating and Hydrating LotionCosmica Sensitive Balance Face Cream

Cheaper alternatives? Browse formulas in the same category.
We compare ingredient profiles across our catalog — pick the closest match for your budget.
Open dupe finder

Product summary

"SheaMoisture - African Black Soap Bamboo Charcoal Gelee Moisturizer" is effective for: Moisturizing

Ingredient callouts

  • Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) at about 1.00% - 1.45% concentration. In this concentration, Panthenol works effectively to improve the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.
  • In addition, this product contains Allantoin (0.50% - 1.15%). Allantoin is helpful in wound-healing and can help restore the skin barrier faster. It might also be able to improve scars, but the evidence is not very strong for this.
  • Humectants (panthenol 1.00% - 1.45% and glycerin 4.90% - 7.30%). 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 "SheaMoisture" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.

Price

The product retails for 10.99$ in the United States.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    α-(-)-Bisabolol Reduces Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Production and Ameliorates Skin Inflammationresearchgate.net
  3. 3
    Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
  4. 4
    Safety Assessment of Panthenol, Pantothenic Acid, and Derivatives as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
  5. 5
    Profile of wound healing process induced by allantoinscielo.br
  6. 6
    Genetic Architecture of Palm Oil Fatty Acid Composition in Cultivated Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Compared to Its Wild Relative E. oleifera (H.B.K) Cortésjournals.plos.org
SheaMoisture African Black Soap Bamboo Charcoal Gelee Moisturizer
SheaMoistureAfrican Black Soap Bamboo Charcoal Gelee Moisturizer
Find on Amazon

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

Find on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.