The Body Shop Aloe Calming Foaming Wash Versus The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Clay Wash
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or silicones
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
The Body Shop Aloe Calming Foaming Wash 18 ingredients
The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Clay Wash 27 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
The Body Shop Aloe Calming Foaming Wash 18 ingredients
The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Clay Wash 27 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolyglyceryl-2 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingLevulinic Acid
Perfuming
P-Anisic Acid
MaskingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Polysorbate 20, Coco-Glucoside, Levulinic Acid, P-Anisic Acid, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Hydroxide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Propanediol
SolventKaolin
Abrasive
Argilla
Abrasive
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingSodium Chloride
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
Masking
Charcoal Powder
Abrasive
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Menthoxypropanediol
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium Pyrophosphate
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propanediol, Kaolin, Argilla, Decyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Chloride, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Charcoal Powder, Limonene, Linalool, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Menthoxypropanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Benzyl Alcohol, CI 77499
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 WaterGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinSodium 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 HydroxideAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder comes from the aloe plant.
You may know Aloe to be a good sunburn reliever and inflammation reducer. This is because it contains many components that are known to help reduce irritation and itchiness.
Aloe leaves are also great moisturizers. They are naturally rich in polysaccharides, a carbohydrate made of sugars. Polysaccharides are able to mimic the carbs found in the top layer of your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
Aloe contains the antioxidants Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins neutralize free radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Aloe does not protect against UV rays, despite it soothing sunburns.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice PowderCitric 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 AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
The Body Shop Aloe Calming Foaming Wash 18 ingredients
The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Clay Wash 27 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
The Body Shop Aloe Calming Foaming Wash 18 ingredients
Made me break out like crazy
