Is the Charcoal Face Scrub suitable for sensitive, acne‑prone, or dry skin?

The scrub is generally well‑suited for normal to oily or acne‑prone skin because charcoal helps absorb excess oil and clear pores, but its drying action and added fragrance, sodium cetearyl sulfate, and phenoxyethanol may irritate very dry or highly sensitive skin, so a patch test is recommended before regular use.

What is the role and benefit of charcoal powder in this scrub?

Activated charcoal acts as a surface adsorbent that binds oil, dirt, and environmental pollutants, helping to deep‑clean pores and reduce the appearance of blackheads and congestion, while also giving the product its characteristic dark hue.

Rituals • 125ml

Charcoal face scrub

Q: How often should the Charcoal Face Scrub be used and does it contain any controversial chemicals?

Use the scrub 2–3 times per week, avoiding daily application to prevent over‑exfoliation; it contains fragrance, sodium cetearyl sulfate, phenoxyethanol, and fragrance allergens such as limonene, linalool, and citronellol, which are regulated but may be irritating for some users.

Face

Product Insights

Rituals’ Charcoal Face Scrub is a 125 ml facial exfoliant formulated with charcoal powder, shea butter, ginseng root extract, and a blend of moisturizing agents such as cetearyl alcohol and glycerin. The formula aims to draw out impurities, refine pores, and leave the skin feeling smooth, while the inclusion of shea butter and rice bran oil provides additional hydration. Potential irritants include fragrance, sodium cetearyl sulfate, phenoxyethanol, and fragrance allergens like limonene, linalool and citronellol, which may bother very sensitive or allergy‑prone skin.

Comparative Analysis

Positioned in the premium facial exfoliation market, this charcoal scrub distinguishes itself with a combination of activated charcoal, ginseng extract, and shea butter, offering deep pore‑cleansing and moisturizing benefits not commonly found in standard drugstore scrubs.

Ingredients

Aqua/Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Powder, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Parfum/Fragrance, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Charcoal Powder, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Phytic Acid, Citric Acid, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, Caprylyl Glycol, Decylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol.

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