The Jojoba Company Gentle Cleansing Balm

The Jojoba Company Gentle Cleansing Balm

Efficacy50/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Cleansing
Cetearyl alcohol, Stearic acid + 2 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Gentle Cleansing Balm”
Source: Lookfantastic

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (ceteareth-20, cetearyl alcohol, stearic acid, xanthan gum) 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.

Cetearyl alcoholEffect: HighA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~5.7–6.9%
Stearic acidEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient~2.1–2.5%
Ceteareth-20Effect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties~1.7–2.1%
Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~0.25–0.45%
Exfoliation
Lactic acid ~0.1–0.2%
Under-dosed
What the product description says
“Ideal for dry and sensitive skin types, the mild facial cleanser contains naturally-derived Alpha Hydroxy Acids extracted from Melon and Papaya, which work to exfoliate the surface layer of skin to lightly lift away daily dirt and pollutants.”
Source: Lookfantastic

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.

Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)~0.1–0.2%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
5 strong irritants: Santalum acuminatum fruit extract, Carica papaya fruit extract + 3 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 15 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Santalum acuminatum fruit extractUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.55–0.8%est.
Carica papaya fruit extract—High~0.45–0.65%est.
Hamamelis virginiana extractA plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritatingHigh~0.45–0.65%est.
Pelargonium graveolens flower oilAn essential oil. Can be irritating. Can become an allergen with oxidationHigh~0.3–0.6%est.
Cananga odorata flower oilAn essential oil. Can be irritatingHigh~0.25–0.45%est.
Simmondsia chinensis seed oilSoftens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.Medium~4.5–5.5%est.
Ceteareth-20Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient propertiesMedium~1.7–2.1%est.
Aloe barbadensis leaf powderA plant extract that might help attract water to the upper layer of the skinMedium~1.4–1.7%est.
Cucumis melo fruit extractA fruit extract that might have some anti-oxidant propertiesMedium~0.45–0.65%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~0.45–0.7%est.
Potassium sorbateA preservativeMedium~0.25–0.4%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.2–0.4%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.2–0.4%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.15–0.3%est.
Lactic acidAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)Medium~0.1–0.2%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 comedogenic3/5~2.4–2.9%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 radicals3/5~1.3–1.6%est.
Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~5.7–6.9%est.
Ceteareth-20Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties2/5~1.7–2.1%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Cetearyl alcohol~5.7–6.9%
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
Simmondsia chinensis seed oil~4.5–5.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.

More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oil
Glycerin~3.1–3.8%
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
Cocos nucifera oil~2.4–2.9%
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
Stearic acid~2.1–2.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient

More about Stearic acid
Ceteareth-20~1.7–2.1%
Comedogenic 2/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties

More about Ceteareth-20
Aloe barbadensis leaf powder~1.4–1.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

A plant extract that might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Aloe barbadensis leaf powder
Butyrospermum parkii butter~1.3–1.6%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

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
Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil~1–1.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

An emollient that softens the skin

More about Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil
Macadamia integrifolia seed oil~0.75–1.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Macadamia integrifolia seed oil
Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.6–0.95%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function

More about Helianthus annuus seed oil
Santalum acuminatum fruit extract~0.55–0.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Santalum acuminatum fruit extract
Saponaria officinalis leaf extract~0.55–0.85%
Formula
Carica papaya fruit extract~0.45–0.65%
Irritant · high
Cucumis melo fruit extract~0.45–0.65%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A fruit extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties

More about Cucumis melo fruit extract
Hamamelis virginiana extract~0.45–0.65%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatory

A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating

More about Hamamelis virginiana extract
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~0.45–0.7%
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
Tocopherol~0.35–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-inflammatoryAnti-agingMoisturizing

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
Pelargonium graveolens flower oil~0.3–0.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

An essential oil. Can be irritating. Can become an allergen with oxidation

More about Pelargonium graveolens flower oil
Cedrus atlantica bark oil~0.25–0.45%
Formula
Cananga odorata flower oil~0.25–0.45%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An essential oil. Can be irritating

More about Cananga odorata flower oil
Xanthan gum~0.25–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Phenoxyethanol~0.25–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Potassium sorbate~0.25–0.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Potassium sorbate
Citric acid~0.2–0.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Sodium benzoate~0.15–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Caprylyl glycol~0.2–0.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Sodium hydroxide~0.15–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Lactic acid~0.1–0.2%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
ExfoliationEvens skin toneMoisturizingAnti-aging

An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)

More about Lactic acid
Ingredient list view

Water, Cetearyl alcohol, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Glycerin, Cocos nucifera oil, Stearic acid, Ceteareth-20, Aloe barbadensis leaf powder, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil, Macadamia integrifolia seed oil, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Santalum acuminatum fruit extract, Saponaria officinalis leaf extract, Carica papaya fruit extract, Cucumis melo fruit extract, Hamamelis virginiana extract, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Tocopherol, Pelargonium graveolens flower oil, Cedrus atlantica bark oil, Cananga odorata flower oil, Xanthan gum, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium sorbate, Citric acid, Sodium benzoate, Caprylyl glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium hydroxide, Lactic acid

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🇬🇧 Lookfantastic (UK)100 ml
≈ $26.60 Out of stock
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🇬🇧 Mankind (UK)100 ml
≈ $26.60 Out of stock
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🇨🇦 Amazon CA (CA)
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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
The Jojoba CompanyGentle Cleansing BalmYOUR PRODUCTAdorn CosmeticsNatural Soothing Cleansing Milk | RefillableSEPHORA COLLECTIONClean Skin Cleansing Balm with Postbiotics + SqualaneLOUMBe Calm Cleansing Balm
Match—40%35%35%
Price——$16.47$42.78
Shared key ingredients—12 of 126 of 123 of 12
Key difference—NiacinamideHelianthus Annuus Seed CeraCbd
Irritancy High Medium Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.

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  6. 6
The Jojoba Company Gentle Cleansing Balm
The Jojoba CompanyGentle Cleansing Balm

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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.