West Barn Co Balancing Cleanser

West Barn Co Balancing Cleanser

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Cleansing
Cetearyl alcohol, C12-20 alkyl glucoside + 2 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Balancing Cleanser”
Source: Lookfantastic

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (c12-20 alkyl glucoside, cetearyl alcohol, lysolecithin, 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~2.2–3.3%
C12-20 alkyl glucosideEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together~1–1.5%
LysolecithinEffect: HighLecithin derivative. It helps oil and water mix together and can enhance penetration of other ingredients. It helps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.5–1.15%
Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~0.3–0.75%
Anti-blemish
Salicylic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“Enriched with Bog Myrtle Plant, a natural antiseptic, the creamy cleanser helps to reduce the risk of future breakouts.”
Source: Lookfantastic

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.

Salicylic acidHeroEffect: HighUsed 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)~0.3–0.75%
Exfoliation
Salicylic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“Comes with a bamboo and organic cotton cloth to gently exfoliate.”
Source: Lookfantastic

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.

Salicylic acidKey activeEffect: HighUsed 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)~0.3–0.75%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
6 strong irritants: Citrus aurantifolia peel oil expressed, Limonene + 4 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 16 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Benzyl alcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.5–1%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~0.3–0.75%est.
PullulanCreates a thin drying film on the skin resulting in a short-term tightening effectHigh~0.3–0.7%est.
Ci 19140A yellow dyeHigh~0.15–0.55%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.05–0.2%est.
LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.15%est.
CitronellolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.15%est.
GeraniolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.01–0.05%est.
CitralA fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritantHigh~0.01–0.1%est.
Ricinus communis seed oilA plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistencyMedium~5.2–7.8%est.
C12-20 alkyl glucosideHelps water and oil mix togetherMedium~1–1.5%est.
Sorbic acidA preservativeMedium~0.3–0.6%est.
Ci 42090A colorant (dye)Medium~0.15–0.5%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.35%est.
Sodium sulfateUsed to improve the product consistency and stabilize formulationsMedium~0.1–0.4%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 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
Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~2.2–3.3%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Ricinus communis seed oil~5.2–7.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatory

A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency

More about Ricinus communis seed oil
Glycerin~3.3–4.9%
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
Cetearyl alcohol~2.2–3.3%
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
Benzyl alcohol~0.5–1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating

More about Benzyl alcohol
C14-22 alcohols~1.7–2.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A non-drying alcohol that helps stabilize product formulations

More about C14-22 alcohols
Myrtus communis oil~1.3–2%
Formula
Citrus aurantifolia peel oil expressed~1.2–1.8%
Irritant · high
C12-20 alkyl glucoside~1–1.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about C12-20 alkyl glucoside
Agonis fragrans branch/leaf oil~0.8–1.2%
Formula
Lysolecithin~0.5–1.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Lecithin derivative. It helps oil and water mix together and can enhance penetration of other ingredients. It helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Lysolecithin
Sclerotium gum~0.4–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions

More about Sclerotium gum
Salicylic acid~0.3–0.75%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryExfoliationAnti-blemishAntibacterialEvens 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
Xanthan gum~0.3–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Pullulan~0.3–0.7%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Mattifying

Creates a thin drying film on the skin resulting in a short-term tightening effect

More about Pullulan
Sorbic acid~0.3–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Sorbic acid
Glycerin~0.3–0.7%
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
Silica~0.35–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to absorb oil and can temporarily mattify skin

More about Silica
Glucose~0.15–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function

More about Glucose
Ci 19140~0.15–0.55%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A yellow dye

More about Ci 19140
Ci 42090~0.15–0.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A colorant (dye)

More about Ci 42090
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Sodium chloride~0.1–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures

More about Sodium chloride
Sodium sulfate~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to improve the product consistency and stabilize formulations

More about Sodium sulfate
Sodium benzoate~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Limonene~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene
Linalool~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool
Citronellol~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Citronellol
Geraniol~0.01–0.05%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Geraniol
Citral~0.01–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritant

More about Citral
Ingredient list view

Water, Ricinus communis seed oil, Glycerin, Cetearyl alcohol, Benzyl alcohol, C14-22 alcohols, Myrtus communis oil, Citrus aurantifolia peel oil expressed, C12-20 alkyl glucoside, Agonis fragrans branch/leaf oil, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium gum, Salicylic acid, Xanthan gum, Pullulan, Sorbic acid, Glycerin, Silica, Glucose, Ci 19140, Ci 42090, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium chloride, Sodium sulfate, Sodium benzoate, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Citral

Compare prices

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🇬🇧 Lookfantastic (UK)100 ml
≈ $16.06 Out of stock
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🇬🇧 Lookfantastic (UK)250 ml
≈ $26.77 Out of stock
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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
West Barn CoBalancing CleanserYOUR PRODUCTfrank bodyCreamy Face CleanserColleen Rothschild BeautyPurifying CleanserFenty SkinCookies N Clean Whipped Clay Intensive Pore + Blackhead Face Scrub
Match—89%88%87%
Price—$21.47—$27.00
Shared key ingredients—4 of 86 of 83 of 8
Key difference—Butyrospermum Parkii ButterNiacinamidePanthenol
Irritancy High Medium Medium Medium
Drying alcohol— Contains drying alcohol ——
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.

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West Barn Co Balancing Cleanser
West Barn CoBalancing Cleanser

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.