The Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Exfoliator Versus La Roche-Posay Ultra-Fine Face Scrub
Updated on March 11, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe exfoliators. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any oils, 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 Seaweed Oil-Control Exfoliator 23 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Ultra-Fine Face Scrub 19 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 Seaweed Oil-Control Exfoliator 23 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Ultra-Fine Face Scrub 19 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Prunus Armeniaca Seed Powder
Abrasive
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientChondrus Crispus Powder
Abrasive
Parfum
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLinalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingZinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantFucus Vesiculosus
Skin ConditioningWater, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Prunus Armeniaca Seed Powder, Polysorbate 20, Carbomer, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Parfum, Butylene Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Hydroxide, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Zinc Sulfate, Pyridoxine Hcl, CI 42090, CI 19140, Fucus Vesiculosus
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingPerlite
AbsorbentAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPumice
Abrasive
Poloxamer 184
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Polyquaternium-47
Skin ConditioningBHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Myrtrimonium Bromide
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Perlite, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Hydroxide, Pumice, Poloxamer 184, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, T-Butyl Alcohol, Polyquaternium-47, BHT, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Myrtrimonium Bromide, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin 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 GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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