SheaMoisture Shea Butter & Vitamin E Cleansing Balm

SheaMoisture Shea Butter & Vitamin E Cleansing Balm

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Cleansing
Polyhydroxystearic acid, Polyglyceryl-10 laurate + 3 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Shea Butter & Vitamin E Cleansing Balm”
From product name

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cetearyl alcohol, polyglyceryl-10 laurate, polyglyceryl-3 oleate, polyhydroxystearic acid, sorbitan olivate) 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.

Polyhydroxystearic acidEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation~1.1–1.6%
Polyglyceryl-10 laurateEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together~0.85–1.3%
Cetearyl alcoholEffect: HighA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~0.5–1.15%
Sorbitan olivateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.5–1.1%
Polyglyceryl-3 oleateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.35–0.85%
Anti-blemish
Not advertised by the brand · Azelaic acid, Salicylic acid
Works well

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

Azelaic acidHeroEffect: HighIs produced by a yeast that lives on normal human skin. It is used in medicine as a topical treatment for mild to moderate acne. It has a mild exfoliating effect. It can also help reduce hyperpigmentation, helps calm down inflammation and can help neutralize free radicals~0.15–0.65%
Salicylic acidUnder-dosedUsed 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)~0.15–0.6%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Menthol, Parfum
Medium risk
We flagged 13 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Passiflora edulis seed oilA good emollient helping to soften the skin. Might have some anti-oxidant properties. Adds a fragrance to the productHigh~0.35–0.8%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~0.15–0.6%est.
Menthol—High~0.1–0.35%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.05–0.1%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~3.7–5.5%est.
Prunus armeniaca kernel oilAn emollient that helps soften the skinMedium~2.6–3.9%est.
Macadamia ternifolia seed oilPlant oil from nuts that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Contains a high concentration of oleic acid that can weaken skin's barrier function and increase water-loss while enhancing penetration of other ingredientsMedium~1.9–2.8%est.
Polyhydroxystearic acidUsed to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulationMedium~1.1–1.6%est.
Polyglyceryl-10 laurateHelps water and oil mix togetherMedium~0.85–1.3%est.
Polyglyceryl-3 oleateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.35–0.85%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.4–0.9%est.
Glycine soja oilA good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.Medium~0.1–0.4%est.
Lauryl laurateHelps soften the upper layer of the skinMedium~0.05–0.2%est.
Comedogenic
4 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
4 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 comedogenic3/5~5.2–7.8%est.
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 radicals3/5~0.4–0.95%est.
Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~0.5–1.15%est.
Glycine soja oilA good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.2/5~0.1–0.4%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Glycerin~23–34%
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
Water~12–18%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Cocos nucifera oil~5.2–7.8%
Comedogenic 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
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~3.7–5.5%
Irritant · 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
Prunus armeniaca kernel oil~2.6–3.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

An emollient that helps soften the skin

More about Prunus armeniaca kernel oil
Macadamia ternifolia seed oil~1.9–2.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Plant oil from nuts that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Contains a high concentration of oleic acid that can weaken skin's barrier function and increase water-loss while enhancing penetration of other ingredients

More about Macadamia ternifolia seed oil
Helianthus annuus seed wax~1.5–2.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and support skin's barrier function while creating a thicker product consistency

More about Helianthus annuus seed wax
Stearyl behenate~1.3–1.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Stearyl behenate
Polyhydroxystearic acid~1.1–1.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation

More about Polyhydroxystearic acid
Polyglyceryl-10 laurate~0.85–1.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Polyglyceryl-10 laurate
Sorbitan olivate~0.5–1.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sorbitan olivate
Cetearyl alcohol~0.5–1.15%
Comedogenic 2/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

More about Cetearyl alcohol
Polyglyceryl-3 oleate~0.35–0.85%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polyglyceryl-3 oleate
Polyglyceryl-10 mono/dioleate~0.3–0.75%
Formula
Caprylyl glycol~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Butyrospermum parkii butter~0.4–0.95%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-agingAnti-oxidation

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
Passiflora edulis seed oil~0.35–0.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Moisturizing

A good emollient helping to soften the skin. Might have some anti-oxidant properties. Adds a fragrance to the product

More about Passiflora edulis seed oil
Azelaic acid~0.15–0.65%
Hero · Anti-blemish
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Evens skin toneAnti-blemishAnti-oxidationExfoliation

Is produced by a yeast that lives on normal human skin. It is used in medicine as a topical treatment for mild to moderate acne. It has a mild exfoliating effect. It can also help reduce hyperpigmentation, helps calm down inflammation and can help neutralize free radicals

More about Azelaic acid
Salicylic acid~0.15–0.6%
Under-dosedIrritant · 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
Tocopherol~0.15–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationMoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-aging

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
Menthol~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Menthol
Glycine soja oil~0.1–0.4%
Comedogenic 2/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
Moisturizing

A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.

More about Glycine soja oil
Copernicia cerifera wax~0.15–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency

More about Copernicia cerifera wax
Phosphatidylglycerol~0.05–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin. It might help reduce inflammation and support the barrier function. This compound is naturally present in animal and plant tissue

More about Phosphatidylglycerol
Lauryl laurate~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Lauryl laurate
Parfum~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Ingredient list view

Glycerin, Water, Cocos nucifera oil, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Prunus armeniaca kernel oil, Macadamia ternifolia seed oil, Helianthus annuus seed wax, Stearyl behenate, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Polyglyceryl-10 laurate, Sorbitan olivate, Cetearyl alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 oleate, Polyglyceryl-10 mono/dioleate, Caprylyl glycol, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Passiflora edulis seed oil, Azelaic acid, Salicylic acid, Tocopherol, Menthol, Glycine soja oil, Copernicia cerifera wax, Phosphatidylglycerol, Lauryl laurate, Parfum

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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
SheaMoistureShea Butter & Vitamin E Cleansing BalmYOUR PRODUCTPCA SKINBlemish Control Bar CleanserSkinfixAcne+ 2% BHA CleanserTulaKeep It Clear
Match—76%75%72%
Price—$64.80$10.00$36.00
Shared key ingredients—5 of 173 of 173 of 17
Key difference—Glycine Soja ProteinNiacinamideLactic Acid
Irritancy Medium Medium Low Medium
Drying alcohol————
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SheaMoisture Shea Butter & Vitamin E Cleansing Balm
SheaMoistureShea Butter & Vitamin E Cleansing Balm

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