Primark PS Clear and Cool Cleansing Face Wash Versus The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and oily skin
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or silicones
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances and sulfates
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
Primark PS Clear and Cool Cleansing Face Wash 18 ingredients
The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash 22 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Primark PS Clear and Cool Cleansing Face Wash 18 ingredients
The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash 22 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Acrylates Copolymer
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMenthol
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Sodium Chloride, Acrylates Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexylglycerin, Menthol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Menthol
Masking
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningFucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Polysorbate 20, PEG-150 Distearate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Menthol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Chondrus Crispus Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterSodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Laureth SulfateWe don't have a description for Sodium Cocoamphoacetate yet.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChloridePolysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Menthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateIngredient Ratings
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