SheaMoisture African Black Soap Problem Skin Facial Wash & Scrub
Works for
CleansingSodium lauroyl lactylate, Stearic acid + 2 moreCleanses gently
“African Black Soap Problem Skin Facial Wash & 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 ~0.45–1.1%, below the ~0.5% it needsUnder-dosed
“African Black Soap Problem Skin Facial Wash & Scrub”
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 ~0.45–1.1%, below the ~0.5% it needsUnder-dosed
“SummaryConscious Beauty at Ulta Beauty™Clean IngredientsCruelty FreeSheaMoisture's African Black Soap Problem Skin gentle facial exfoliator provides instant resurfacing benefits while helping to control breakouts.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium dulcis seed extract, Citrus limon fruit extract + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic4 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale4 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Lac~4.7–7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps form a film on the surface of the skin and disperse other ingredients (like colorants) in cosmetics. Lac is a resinous substance secreted by parasite insects living on trees
More about LacSodium lauroyl lactylate~3.5–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Sodium lauroyl lactylateGlycerin~2.7–4%
- 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~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidMangifera indica seed oil~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Myristic acid~1.4–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic
More about Myristic acidCocos nucifera oil~1.3–1.9%
- 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 oilDecyl glucoside~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideCocos nucifera oil~0.85–1.3%
- 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 oilSalicylic acid~0.45–1.1%
- 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~0.45–1.1%
- 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 butterPunica granatum seed oil~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Punica granatum seed oilBisabolol~0.3–0.75%
- 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 BisabololChamomilla recutita extract~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita extractNigella 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~0.3–0.7%
- 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~0.2–0.75%
- 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~0.15–0.65%
- 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 oilChamomilla recutita extract~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita extractVaccinium myrtillus seed extract~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Saccharum officinarum extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractAcer saccharum extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that contains small percentage of AHAs. Is unlikely to have any skin benefit due the small concentration of the active compounds
More about Acer saccharum extractCitrus aurantium dulcis seed extract~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Citrus limon fruit extract~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractMelaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilIngredient list view
Water, Lac, Sodium lauroyl lactylate, Glycerin, Unknown, Stearic acid, Mangifera indica seed oil, Myristic acid, Cocos nucifera oil, Unknown, Decyl glucoside, Cocos nucifera oil, Unknown, Salicylic acid, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Punica granatum seed oil, Bisabolol, Chamomilla recutita extract, Nigella sativa seed oil, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Tamarindus indica extract, Olea europaea fruit oil, Unknown, Chamomilla recutita extract, Vaccinium myrtillus seed extract, Saccharum officinarum extract, Acer saccharum extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis seed extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, 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 Problem Skin Facial Wash & ScrubYOUR PRODUCT | IOPEDerma Trouble Cleanser | innisfreeVolcanic BHA Pore Cleansing Foam Mousse Nettoyante Clarifiante | Bring greenTea tree cleansing foam | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 73% | 73% | 71% |
| Price | — | $20.20 | $16.00 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 11 | 4 of 11 | 4 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | Lauric Acid | Madecassoside | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Community Sixty-Six Detoxifying AHA/BHA Gel CleanserNaturium THE PERFECTOR SALICYLIC ACID BODY WASH
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 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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