SheaMoisture African Black Soap Clarifying Facial Wash & Scrub
Works for
CleansingCetyl alcohol, Stearic acid + 6 moreCleanses gently
“SheaMoisture's African Black Soap Problem Skin Facial Wash & Scrub gently exfoliates and cleanses while helping to control breakouts.”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cetyl alcohol, coconut acid, decyl glucoside, glyceryl laurate, glyceryl undecylenate, myristic acid, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, 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, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate
ExfoliationSalicylic acid ~0.25–0.45%, below the ~0.5% it needsUnder-dosed
“SheaMoisture's African Black Soap Problem Skin Facial Wash & Scrub gently exfoliates and cleanses while helping to control breakouts.”
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid ~0.25–0.45%, below the ~0.5% it needsUnder-dosed
“SheaMoisture's African Black Soap Problem Skin Facial Wash & Scrub gently exfoliates and cleanses while helping to control breakouts.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilMedium 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%
Cetyl alcohol~5.7–6.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholGlycerin~4.2–5.1%
- 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 GlycerinMyristyl alcohol~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps to stabilize the product formulation while softening the upper layer of the skin. Can be irritating
More about Myristyl alcoholStearic acid~2.4–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidMyristic acid~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic
More about Myristic acidJojoba esters~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba estersCaprylyl glycol~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolSodium methyl cocoyl taurate~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agent
More about Sodium methyl cocoyl tauratePotassium hydroxide~0.95–1.15%
Butyrospermum parkii butter~0.7–1.1%
- 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 butterTamarindus indica fruit extract~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cocos nucifera oil~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic
More about Cocos nucifera oilElaeis guineensis kernel oil~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Elaeis guineensis kernel oilMelaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilMangifera indica seed oil~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Nigella sativa seed extract~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Salix alba bark extract~0.3–0.55%
- 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 extractOrmenis multicaulis oil~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Coconut acid~0.45–0.65%
Salicylic acid~0.25–0.45%
- 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 acidBisabolol~0.2–0.35%
- 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 BisabololPanthenol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolDecyl glucoside~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideGlyceryl laurate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together and has an anti-microbial effect helping to preserve product formulations
More about Glyceryl laurateSodium chloride~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideSodium phytate~0.15–0.25%
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.2%
Glyceryl undecylenate~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and helps preserve the product formulation
More about Glyceryl undecylenateIron oxides~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
More about Iron oxidesIngredient list view
Water, Cetyl alcohol, Glycerin, Myristyl alcohol, Stearic acid, Myristic acid, Jojoba esters, Caprylyl glycol, Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, Potassium hydroxide, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Tamarindus indica fruit extract, Cocos nucifera oil, Elaeis guineensis kernel oil, Unknown, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Mangifera indica seed oil, Nigella sativa seed extract, Salix alba bark extract, Ormenis multicaulis oil, Coconut acid, Salicylic acid, Bisabolol, Panthenol, Decyl glucoside, Glyceryl laurate, Sodium chloride, Sodium phytate, Sodium benzoate, Glyceryl undecylenate, Iron oxides
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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 & ScrubYOUR PRODUCT | OlayRegenerist Collagen Peptide 24, Face Wash, Fragrance-Free | Community Sixty-SixDetoxifying AHA/BHA Gel Cleanser | YEOUTHVitamin C Facial Cleanser Day/Night Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 82% | 81% | 80% |
| Price | — | $9.40 | $15.82 | $41.90 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 15 | 6 of 15 | 5 of 15 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Niacinamide | Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: CeraVe Acne Control CleanserThe INKEY List CA Salicylic Acid Acne + Blackhead Cleanser
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Cosmetic allergy from myristyl alcoholncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4Patch testing with myristyl alcoholresearchgate.net
- 5
- 6
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