SheaMoisture African Black Soap Clarifying Facial Wash and Scrub
Works for
CleansingSodium lauroyl lactylate, Stearic acid + 2 moreCleanses gently
“African Black Soap Clarifying Facial Wash and Scrub”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (decyl glucoside, myristic acid, sodium lauroyl lactylate, 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: decyl glucoside
ExfoliationSalicylic acid, Salix alba bark extractWorks well
“African Black Soap Clarifying Facial Wash and Scrub”
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: salicylic acid.
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid, Salix alba bark extract + 1 moreWorks well
“Shea Moisture’s African Black Soap Problem Skin Facial Wash & Scrub gently exfoliates and cleanses while helping to control breakouts.”
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium dulcis seed extract, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Sodium lauroyl lactylate~6.4–9.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Sodium lauroyl lactylateGlycerin~3.5–5.2%
- 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 GlycerinStearic acid~2.6–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidMangifera indica seed oil~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Myristic acid~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic
More about Myristic acidDecyl glucoside~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideSalicylic acid~0.9–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
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 acidButyrospermum parkii butter~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
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 butterPunica granatum seed oil~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Punica granatum seed oilPanthenol~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolSalix alba bark extract~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It contains a compound salicin that can theoretically be converted into salicylic acid that, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in skin, but the evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking and the extract is usually not used in a concentration that would enable an exfoliating effect
More about Salix alba bark extractJojoba esters~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba estersBisabolol~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 BisabololNigella sativa seed oil~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and support the skin's barrier due to the high content of linoleic acid
More about Nigella sativa seed oilAloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 juiceTamarindus indica extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect in skin but solid evidence is lacking
More about Tamarindus indica extractOlea europaea fruit oil~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation
More about Olea europaea fruit oilVaccinium myrtillus bud extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Saccharum officinarum extract~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractSaccharum officinarum extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractCitrus aurantium dulcis seed extract~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilIngredient list view
Water, Unknown, Sodium lauroyl lactylate, Glycerin, Unknown, Stearic acid, Mangifera indica seed oil, Myristic acid, Unknown, Decyl glucoside, Salicylic acid, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Punica granatum seed oil, Panthenol, Salix alba bark extract, Jojoba esters, Bisabolol, Nigella sativa seed oil, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Tamarindus indica extract, Olea europaea fruit oil, Unknown, Vaccinium myrtillus bud extract, Saccharum officinarum extract, Saccharum officinarum extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis seed extract, Unknown, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil
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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.
| SheaMoistureAfrican Black Soap Clarifying Facial Wash and ScrubYOUR PRODUCT | Community Sixty-SixDetoxifying AHA/BHA Gel Cleanser | NaturiumTHE PERFECTOR SALICYLIC ACID BODY WASH | CeraVeAcne Control Cleanser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 81% | 80% | 79% |
| Price | — | $15.82 | $6.00 | $12.95 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 12 | 3 of 12 | 3 of 12 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Prequel TRAVEL GLEANSER + SAIOPE Derma Trouble Cleanser
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 6A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
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