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Score legend
HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES LEARN MORE ABOUT EWG VERIFIED®
Product score: 05

Data Availability:

Limited

African Botanics Clay & Volcanic Ash Exfoliating Body Treatment

African Botanics Clay & Volcanic Ash Exfoliating Body Treatment

WHERE TO BUY

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CATEGORY

Exfoliant/Scrub

BRAND

African Botanics

DATA LAST UPDATED

September 2024

Ingredient concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

  • HIGH
    Cancer
  • HIGH
    Allergies & Immunotoxicity
  • LOW
    Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity
  • HIGH
    Use Restrictions

Ingredient scores

Ingredients are scored based on their formulation and concentration in this product. Click on an ingredient for more information.

Ingredient score: 01
WATER
Data Availability: Robust
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FUNCTION(S) solvent
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Ingredient score: 01
PUMICE
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) abrasive, bulking, viscosity controlling, bulking agent
CONCERNS • Cancer (low)
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (moderate)
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Ingredient score: 01
BENTONITE
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) absorbent, bulking, emulsion stabilising, viscosity controlling, bulking agent, emulsion stabilizer, opacifying agent, suspending agent -nonsurfactant, viscosity increasing agent - aqueous
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (moderate)
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Ingredient score: 01
EUPHORBIA CERIFERA (CANDELILLA) WAX
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) emollient, film forming, cosmetic astringent, emulsion stabilizer, film former, fragrance ingredient;skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, viscosity increasing agent- nonaqueous
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
TRICHILIA EMETICA SEED BUTTER
Data Availability: None
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FUNCTION(S) emollient, skin conditioning
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Ingredient score: 01
ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE
Data Availability: Good
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FUNCTION(S) binding, emollient, perfuming, skin conditioning, solvent, binder, fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - emollient
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Enhanced skin absorption
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Ingredient score: 01
BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) skin conditioning, viscosity controlling, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, viscosityincreasing agent - nonaqueous
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
KAOLIN
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) abrasive, absorbent, anticaking, bulking, opacifying, anticaking agent, bulking agent, opacifying agent, skin protectant;slip modifier
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Ingredient score: 01
CETEARYL ALCOHOL
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) emollient, emulsifying, emulsion stabilising, foam boosting, opacifying, surfactant, viscosity controlling, emulsion stabilizer, opacifying agent, surfactant - foam booster, viscosity increasingagent - aqueous, viscosity increasing agent - nonaqueous
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
CETEARYL GLUCOSIDE
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) emulsifying, surfactant, surfactant - emulsifying agent
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
LAURYL GLUCOSIDE
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) cleansing, surfactant, surfactant - cleansing agent
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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Ingredient score: 02
CAFFEINE
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) masking, skin conditioning, fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
CONCERNS • Cancer (low)
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
• Persistence and bioaccumulation (moderate)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
CAMELLIA JAPONICA SEED OIL
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) emollient, skin conditioning, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive
CONCERNS • Cancer (low)
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
• Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
PAULLINIA CUPANA (GUARANA) SEED EXTRACT
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) skin conditioning, lytic agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
CONCERNS • Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
BEESWAX
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) emollient, emulsifying, film forming, perfuming, binder, emulsion stabilizer, epilating agent, fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent -miscellaneous, surfactant - emulsifying agent, viscosity increasing agent - nonaqueous
CONCERNS • Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
• Contamination concerns (PESTICIDES)
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Ingredient score: 01
PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS (SWEET ALMOND) OIL
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive
CONCERNS • Cancer (low)
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
• Enhanced skin absorption
• Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
SCLEROCARYA BIRREA SEED OIL
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) hair conditioning, humectant
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Ingredient score: 01
ASPALATHUS LINEARIS (ROOIBOS) LEAF EXTRACT
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) skin conditioning, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
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Ingredient score: 01
ALOE FEROX (CAPE ALOE) LEAF EXTRACT
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) skin conditioning, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
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Ingredient score: 01
ADANSONIA DIGITATA SEED OIL
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) emollient, hair conditioning, skin conditioning, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - emollient
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Ingredient score: 01
OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) OIL
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) perfuming, fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive
CONCERNS • Cancer (low)
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
• Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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Ingredient score: 04
PELAGONIUM GRAVEOLENS OIL
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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Ingredient score: 08
FRAGRANCE
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) deodorant, masking, perfuming
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Endocrine disruption (moderate)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Ecotoxicology (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (moderate)
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Ingredient score: 03
CANANGA ODORATA (YLANG YLANG) OIL
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) masking, fragrance ingredient
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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Ingredient score: 03
CITRUS AURANTIUM BERGAMIA (BERGAMOT) PEEL OIL
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Use restrictions (moderate)
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Ingredient score: 03
MENTHA SPICATA (SPEARMINT) OIL
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
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Ingredient score: 02
CUPRESSUS SEMPERVIRENS
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) skin conditioning, tonic
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (high)
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Ingredient score: 05
OCIMUM BASILICUM (SWEET BASIL) OIL
Data Availability: Robust
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FUNCTION(S) masking, tonic, fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
CONCERNS • Cancer (moderate)
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
• Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Ecotoxicology (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
Data Availability: Good
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FUNCTION(S) cosmetic colorant, abrasive, absorbent, colorant, opacifying agent
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Ingredient score: 02
PHENOXYETHANOL
Data Availability: Good
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FUNCTION(S) preservative, fragrance ingredient
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (moderate)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Ecotoxicology (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high)
• Occupational hazards (high)
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Ingredient score: 02
ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) skin conditioning, deodorant agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Ecotoxicology (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high)
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Ingredient score: 04
BENZYL BENZOATE
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) antimicrobial, masking, solvent, fragrance ingredient
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Endocrine disruption (low)
• Ecotoxicology (low)
• Occupational hazards (high)
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Ingredient score: 03
CITRONELLOL
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) masking, fragrance ingredient
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Contamination concerns (FORMALDEHYDE)
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Ingredient score: 03
GERANIOL
Data Availability: Good
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FUNCTION(S) masking, tonic, fragrance ingredient
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
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Ingredient score: 03
LINALOOL
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) deodorant, masking, fragrance ingredient
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Contamination concerns (FORMALDEHYDE)
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Ingredients from packaging:

AQUA, PUMICE, BENTONITE, EUPHORBIA CERIFERA (CANDELILLA) WAX, TRICHILIA EMETICA SEED BUTTER, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER, KAOLIN, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, CETEARYL GLUCOSIDE, LAURYL GLUCOSIDE, CAFFEINE, CAMELLIA JAPONICA SEED OIL, PAULLINIA CUPANA (GUARANA) SEED EXTRACT, CERA ALBA, PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS (SWEET ALMOND) OIL, SCLEROCARYA BIRREA (MARULA) SEED OIL, ASPALATHUS LINEARIS (ROOIBOS) LEAF EXTRACT, ALOE FEROX LEAF EXTRACT, ADANSONIA DIGITATA (BAOBAB) SEED OIL, OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) FRUIT OIL, PELARGONIUM GRAVEOLENS OIL, PARFUM (FRAGRANCE), CANANGA ODORATA (YLANG YLANG) FLOWER OIL, CITRUS AURANTIUM BERGAMIA (BERGAMOT) PEEL OIL, MENTHA VIRIDIS (SPEARMINT) LEAF OIL, CUPRESSUS SEMPERVIRENS (CYPRESS) LEAF OIL, OCIMUM BASILICUM (BASIL) OIL, CHARCOAL, PHENOXYETHANOL, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, BENZYL BENZOATE, CITRONELLOL, GERANIOL, LINALOOL

Product's animal testing policies

Some cosmetics companies have taken People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and Leaping Bunny animal-testing pledges. For consumers who are concerned about companies’ policies on animal testing, Skin Deep reports this information.


Unknown

Leading international certifiers PETA and Leaping Bunny have no information concerning this company’s use of animal testing.

Understanding scores

Cosmetics and personal care products are not required to be tested for safety before being allowed on the market. The Skin Deep® scoring system was designed to help the public understand whether a product is safe to use or whether it contains ingredients of concern.

Every product and ingredient in Skin Deep gets a two-part score – one for hazard and one for data availability. The safest products score well by both measures, with a low hazard rating and a fair or better data availability rating.


HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES

Hazard score

The Skin Deep ingredient hazard score, from 1 to 10, reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients. The EWG Verified® mark means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.

Score legend
WEIGHT-OF-EVIDENCE APPROACH

A product’s hazard score is not an average of the ingredients’ hazard scores. It is calculated using a weight-of-evidence approach that factors in all of the hazards or health impacts associated with the ingredients.

Data availability

The Skin Deep data availability rating reflects the number of scientific studies about the product or ingredient in the published scientific literature.

NONE LIMITED FAIR GOOD ROBUST
Low Availability
Moderate Availability
High Availability
NONE

Ingredients have not been assessed.

LIMITED-FAIR

There is only a modest volume of research.

GOOD-ROBUST

Ingredients have been studied extensively.

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