Versus

Dr. Squatch Pine Tar Bar Soap Versus Shea Moisture African Black Soap Bar

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter is a plant lipid from the fruit of the Shea Tree. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.

Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.

Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.

While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.

Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Masking, Perfuming

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.

Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.

For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.

The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.

For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.

One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.

The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.

Learn more about Parfum
Abrasive, Absorbent, Skin Conditioning

Also known as "oatmeal". This ingredient is made by grinding down the kernels of oat.

According to INCI, or International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient, this ingredient has abrasive properties and functions as a mild exfoliant.

If you are looking for skin soothing oat - check out Avena Sativa Kernel Extract.

Learn more about Avena Sativa Kernel Meal

When to use

5 Routines
60% use in am
40% use in pm
100% use every day
172 Routines
44% use in am
56% use in pm
95% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Dr. Squatch Pine Tar Bar Soap 12 ingredients

Pine Tar Bar Soap hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Shea Moisture African Black Soap Bar 15 ingredients

2.5 /5
from 2 ratings
Broke Me Out (1) Doesn't Work (1) Drying (1)
aaahrz's avatar

zahraa

6 months ago
Review

i tested this soap for 3-ish months and while i loved it for my body it’s a skip for the face. drying, stripping, triggered my eczema, triggered my fungal acne, broke me out. i don’t think this is real natural african black soap. if ur looking for african black soap please buy from a real small african/african american owned business instead

#great value
#drying
#broke me out
#irritating