Angels on Bare Skin
Angels on Bare Skin
Product Description
LUSH Angels on Bare Skin is a bestselling fresh cleanser and gentle exfoliator. You pinch off a little of the crumbly almond-and-clay base, mix it with a drop of water into a soft paste, then massage it in: ground almonds buff away dull, dry skin while kaolin clay deep-cleanses pores and lavender, rose and chamomile calm and soothe. The result is soft, fresh, glowing skin โ gentle enough for sensitive complexions yet effective for oily and blemish-prone ones.
โจ Texture & Feel
Gentle Almond Exfoliation
Finely ground almonds physically buff away dead surface cells without the harshness of plastic microbeads or coarse scrubs.
Kaolin Deep Cleanse
A kaolin clay base absorbs excess oil and lifts impurities from pores, leaving skin clarified and mattified.
Glycerine Hydration
Vegan glycerine is a humectant that draws moisture into the skin, so cleansing never leaves you tight or stripped.
Soothing Floral Oils
Lavender, rose absolute and chamomile blue are blended in to calm redness and balance reactive, sensitive skin.
๐ก๏ธ Safety & Compatibility
Contains no retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, hydroquinone or chemical UV filters โ exfoliation is purely physical and mild.
Independently verified as malassezia-safe; the formula has no problem esters, polysorbates or fatty-acid triggers.
No pharmaceutical actives of concern, but it does contain lavender and other essential oils โ check with your doctor first.
Naturally contains linalool and limonene from essential oils. Patch test if you have very reactive or allergy-prone skin.
No sulfates, parabens, silicones, harsh drying alcohols or synthetic preservatives in the formula.
Works well before actives. As a wash-off product it can be paired with retinol, vitamin C, AHA or BHA used later in your routine.
๐ฌ Ingredient Breakdown
๐ฐ Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Ground Almonds) Base Proven
Finely ground sweet almonds are the physical exfoliant at the heart of the formula. Mixed with water they create gentle abrasive particles that polish away dead skin cells and reveal a brighter surface.
- Function: Mild mechanical exfoliant that smooths texture without microtears when used gently.
- Skin benefit: Sweet almond is rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, leaving skin soft rather than stripped.
๐ง Glycerin High Proven
A plant-derived humectant naturally found in skin. It pulls water into the upper layers so the cleanse hydrates rather than dehydrates, keeping the complexion supple and comfortable.
- Research: A 2016 study found glycerin to be a more effective humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
- Barrier support: By keeping skin hydrated it helps reinforce the protective skin barrier against irritants.
๐ง Kaolin Base Proven
A soft white clay that absorbs excess sebum and draws impurities out of pores. Gentler than bentonite, it clarifies and mattifies without over-drying delicate skin.
- Function: Oil-absorbing and pore-decongesting; classic clay for balancing combination and oily skin.
- Gentleness: One of the mildest cosmetic clays, suitable for sensitive complexions.
๐ Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil Low Promising
Lavender essential oil gives the cleanser its signature calming scent and is added by Lush for its traditional soothing and balancing properties.
- Properties: Has documented antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity in topical use.
- Composition: Roughly 85% of the oil is linalool and linalyl acetate, the source of its aroma.
๐น Rosa Damascena (Rose Absolute) Low Promising
Rose absolute / Damask rose extract is included to calm redness and tone the skin. It is valued as a natural antioxidant and soothing botanical.
- Function: Antioxidant and skin-conditioning; traditionally used to comfort irritated, flushed skin.
- Aroma: Contributes to the soft floral scent alongside lavender.
๐ผ Chamomilla Recutita (Chamomile Blue) Oil Low Promising
Chamomile blue oil is one of the most soothing botanicals in skincare, added to calm sensitive and reactive skin during cleansing.
- Properties: Rich in antioxidants with anti-inflammatory compounds such as bisabolol.
- Skin benefit: Helps reduce visible redness and supports a comfortable, calm finish.
12 ingredients
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Protein (Ground Almonds), Glycerin, Kaolin, Water (Aqua), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Rosa Damascena Callus (Rose), Chamomilla Recutita (Chamomile) Oil, Mink Oil, Styrax Benzoin Gum (Benzoin Resinoid), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower, Limonene*, Linalool*.
*Occurs naturally in essential oils. Note: Lush markets this product as vegan with a botanical base; ingredient lists may vary by batch and region โ always check the label on your pot.
๐ Where It Fits in Your Routine
Use as your second cleanse / exfoliating step. Because it lightly exfoliates, 1โ2 daily uses is plenty for most skin โ over-scrubbing can irritate. It also doubles as a gentle body scrub.
๐ How to Use
Scoop a small amount
Take a pea-sized pinch of the crumbly cleanser into the palm of your hand.
Add water to make a paste
Add a few drops of water and rub together until it forms a soft, spreadable paste โ keep it thick for more scrub, thinner for a softer cleanse.
Massage in circles
Gently work the paste over damp skin in light circular motions for around a minute, avoiding the eye area.
Rinse thoroughly
Rinse away with warm water and pat dry. Follow with toner, serum and moisturizer.
๐ค Who Is It For?
โ Perfect for you if:
- You want a gentle, natural everyday exfoliating cleanser
- You have sensitive, dull, oily or combination skin
- You prefer vegan, cruelty-free, preservative-free formulas
- You like a soothing floral lavender-and-rose scent
- You want a multitasker that works on face and body
โ Consider alternatives if:
- You have a tree-nut (almond) allergy
- You dislike lavender or essential-oil fragrance
- You want a one-step makeup remover (use an oil cleanser first)
- Your skin is very dry and easily irritated by physical scrubs
- You want a long shelf life โ this is a fresh, fast-expiring product
๐ฏ Skin Type Compatibility
Kaolin clay absorbs excess oil and decongests pores, leaving a balanced, matte-fresh finish.
Glycerine helps, but the clay base can feel a touch drying โ use a thinner paste and always follow with a rich moisturizer.
Balances oilier zones while the almond polish keeps drier areas smooth โ a flexible everyday option.
Praised by many sensitive-skin users for calming redness, but the lavender oil and allergens mean a patch test is wise.
Low comedogenic, fungal-acne safe and oil-absorbing; gentle enough to use alongside acne treatments.
๐ Results Timeline
Soft, smooth, glowing skin
After the first rinse, skin feels noticeably softer and looks brighter and fresher thanks to the almond polish.
90% noticedCalmer, more balanced complexion
Regular users report reduced redness, less surface oiliness and a more even, refined texture.
70% noticedClearer, smoother skin over time
Some acne-prone reviewers saw fewer breakouts, reduced pore appearance and improved texture with consistent daily use.
55% noticedโญ Ratings by Platform
โ๏ธ Pros & Cons
โ Praised
- Gentle yet effective natural exfoliation
- Leaves skin soft, smooth and glowing
- Loved by sensitive and acne-prone users
- Vegan, cruelty-free and preservative-free
- Beautiful, calming lavender-rose scent
- Multitasks on face and body; a little goes a long way
โ Criticized
- Doesn't remove makeup well by itself
- Messy paste-mixing application takes getting used to
- Short shelf life โ must be used fresh
- Lavender / essential-oil scent isn't for everyone
- Can be drying for very dry skin if overused
- Contains natural fragrance allergens (linalool, limonene)
๐ฐ Budget-Friendly Alternatives (Dupes)
Lush's charcoal version of the same idea โ a crumbly mix-with-water exfoliating cleanser. Scrubbier and more clarifying for blemish-prone skin, with rhassoul mud instead of clay and a smoky rather than floral scent.
A pure clay powder you mix with water yourself for a deep-cleansing paste. Much cheaper and stronger at oil-absorption, but it's bentonite (more intense) and lacks the soothing almond polish and floral oils.
A creamy almond-based gentle exfoliating scrub with a comparable nutty, soothing profile. Easier ready-to-use texture, but it's a scrub rather than a clay cleanser and is fragranced.
๐ Comparison with Competitors
LUSH Angels on Bare Skin (Featured)
~$18Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
~$65Tatcha The Rice Wash
~$40Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
~$42๐ฆ Storage & Shelf Life
This is a fresh, preservative-free product. Lush recommends using it within about 3โ4 months of the printed manufacture date.
Keep in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight; many users refrigerate it to extend freshness and add a cooling feel.
Lush's classic black recyclable pot โ return five clean empties to a Lush store for a free face mask.
Yes โ it's a solid, non-liquid format, so the 100g pot travels easily in hand luggage.
โ Frequently Asked Questions
It contains no retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroquinone or chemical sunscreens, so there are no pharmaceutical actives of concern. However, it does contain lavender and other essential oils, which some clinicians advise being cautious with during pregnancy. We recommend checking with your doctor or midwife before use.
Yes. The formula has been independently verified as fungal-acne (malassezia) safe, as it doesn't rely on the esters, polysorbates or free fatty acids that typically feed malassezia. As a quick wash-off cleanser it also has limited contact time with the skin.
Yes. Because it's a rinse-off cleanser used at the start of your routine, it won't clash with leave-on actives. Cleanse first, then apply your retinol, vitamin C, AHA or BHA afterwards. Avoid scrubbing too hard on the same day as strong exfoliating actives to prevent over-exfoliation.
It suits most skin types but performs best on oily, combination, dull and blemish-prone skin thanks to its oil-absorbing kaolin clay and gentle almond exfoliation. Sensitive skin often tolerates it well too, though those with very dry skin may find the clay base slightly drying and should follow with a richer moisturizer.
Skin usually feels softer, smoother and brighter immediately after the first use. Many users report calmer, more balanced skin within 1โ2 weeks of regular use, and some acne-prone reviewers noticed clearer skin and reduced breakouts after around 3โ4 weeks of consistent daily cleansing.
Use it as your cleanse/exfoliating step. If you wear makeup or sunscreen, remove that first with an oil cleanser or balm, then mix Angels on Bare Skin with water and massage it in as your main cleanse. Follow with toner, serum, moisturizer and (in the morning) SPF.
It has a very low comedogenic rating (around 1/5). The kaolin clay actually helps absorb oil and decongest pores, and the ground almonds and glycerine are non-pore-clogging. As a rinse-off product, it's considered unlikely to clog pores for most people.
This is a fresh, preservative-free product with a short shelf life. Lush recommends using it within roughly 3โ4 months of the manufacture date printed on the pot. Storing it somewhere cool and dry โ or in the fridge โ helps keep it fresh for as long as possible.
Verdict: A cult-favourite British classic since 1995, LUSH Angels on Bare Skin earns its bestseller status as a gentle, natural exfoliating cleanser that leaves skin soft, calm and glowing. It shines for oily, combination and sensitive skin, is vegan, cruelty-free and fungal-acne safe, and a little goes a long way. Just go in knowing it won't remove makeup alone, the mix-with-water paste takes practice, and its fresh formula needs using up quickly. If you want a soothing, low-fuss daily polish โ and don't mind the lavender-rose scent โ it's an easy recommendation.
Product Overview
What are Quick Product Notes?
Quick product notes are a great way to check if a product is free from commonly avoided ingredients by skincare enthusiasts. These preferences come about for different reasons depending on the ingredient such as personal experiences, sensitivities, health preferences & etc.
Pro Tip Alert!
Just because a product is not free from a common preference does not mean it's a bad product! You can make a personal decision whether or not you want to use a product that contains these ingredients or not - click the labels of the preference to read more about them.
Quick Product Notes
Paraben-Free
Paraben-Free
Understanding Parabens
Parabens are a large group of preservatives which are used to prevent bacteria growing in cosmetic formulations. There has been some healthy controversy surrounding them due to a few studies finding paraben presence in breast tumours and breast tissue. However, the majority of the scientific community have deemed these findings non-conclusive due to the limitations of these studies. There's still a lot of support for avoiding parabens following the better safe than sorry route. If you do we completely support you! If you are concerned about the health safety of parabens, then feel free to avoid them by looking out for the Paraben-Free icon. If not, don't worry about it - they do have had one of the longest safety records as preservatives!
Which Ingredients are classified as Paraben?
A product will be paraben-free if it does not contain any of the following parabens:
- Sodium Isobutylparaben
- Sodium Ethylparaben
- Sodium Butylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Isopropylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
- Sodium Propylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Sodium Methylparaben
- Methylparaben
Sulfate-Free
Sulfate-Free
Understanding Sulfates
Sulfates are a large group of ingredients which act as cleansing agents in Cosmetics. They help loosen up the dirt and grime from your skin and hair to allow for water to wash it away with ease. However some sulfates are so good at their job, they can wash off your skinโs own natural oils that keep it moisturised and protected which can lead to dryness and irritation. Most people will find no issues with sulfate, however if you find your skin doesn't like sulfates then free feel to avoid them by looking out for the sulfate-free icon on Skincarisma.
Which ingredients are classified as sulfates?
We've taken the Sulfates which are considered more harsh for our Sulfate-Free status. A product will be Sulfate-Free if it does not contain any of the following Sulfates:
- TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
- Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- PEG-15 Cocamine
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate
- Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
- Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
- Ammonium Xylenesulfonate
- Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
- Sodium Xylenesulfonate
- Sodium Myreth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
Alcohol-Free
Alcohol-Free
Understanding Simple Alcohols
Alcohol ingredients are widely used in cosmetics and come in different types. For the most part alcohols are not problematic at all. However one type of alcohols, simple alcohols can be quite drying to the skin because it evaporates very quickly. This can cause irritation which can also lead to other skin complications. These alcohols should never be used alone on your skin, but combined with other cosmetic ingredients, they are normally without issue. However, for some people with sensitive and easily irritable skin, avoiding products with these simple alcohols may be beneficial. If you find your skin doesn't like these simple alcohols, then free feel to avoid them by looking out for the Alcohol-Free icon.
Which Ingredients are classified as Alcohol?
A product will be alcohol-free if it does not contain any of the following alcohol ingredients:
- SD Alcohol
- Alcohol Denat
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Alcohol
Silicone-Free
Silicone-Free
Understanding Silicones
If you've ever used a skincare, makeup or beauty product that's made your skin look and feel smoother tempoarily - it's likely contained Silicone. They are a popular class of ingredients found in cosmetics due to their smooth, soft, easy-to-spread and smooth properties that help creates an artificial layer/barrier on top of skin or hair (commonly found in conditioners).
For the same reasons they are popularly used, they are also commonly avoided. Anecdotally, many individuals have reported that Silicones cause/excerbate breakouts, irritation, cause a feeling of skin being unable to breathe, cause clumping of cosmetic products and find it difficult to wash off. As a result, those who find them problematic are avoiding them and increasingly, cosmetic companies are avoiding them as well.
If you have had bad experiences with Silicones in the past, or suspect they are problematic then look out for the tick on the Silicone-free label.
Disclaimer
The Silicone-free label only includes the most common Silicone ingredients that have indentified been reported by individuals that could potentially cause issues.
These include: Amodimethicone, Behenoxy Dimethicone, Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Cetearyl Methicone, Cetyl Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Copolyol, Dimethiconol, Methicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Stearoxy Dimethicone, Stearyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsilylamodimethicone.
Note, that this does not include all ingredients part of the Silicone class of ingredients.
EU Allergen-Free
EU Allergen-Free
Understanding the Identified Contact Allergens
The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has identified and established 26 cosmetic ingredients that are likely contact allergens (potential to cause skin allergies) as demonstrated in clinical or epidemiological studies. The EU's SCCS have recommend cosmetic companies to disclose them on the labels if used and in cases where the concentration exceeds 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products, then they must be labelled.
Look out for the tick on the EU-Allergen free label to know your cosmetic is free from any of the 26 identified cosmetic ingredients.
For more information regarding the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, please visit their official website.
Disclaimer
The EU Allergen Free label is for the 26 ingredients identified by the EU SCCS and products will be only flagged if a suspected ingredient is on it's ingredient list. It is possible for cosmetics to contain one of the suspect ingredients without it appearing on the ingredient list due to it not reaching the concentration threshold to disclose it and cosmetic manufacturers choice to not disclose it.
Also note, the EU Allergen Free label is not personalized for your own allergies you may have and it does not constitute as medical advice. For your specific case, always consult your medical professiona such as dermatologist, physician, pharmacist, or health care provider - please read our medical disclaimer for more information.
Fungal Acne (Molassezia) Safe
Fungal Acne (Molassezia) Safe
Understanding Fungal Acne (Pityrosporum Folliculitis/Malassezia Folliculitis)
Pityrosporum Folliculitis/Malassezia folliculitis or simply known as Fungal Acne is a persistent acne-like condition that commonly responds poorly to traditional acne-treating methods. Unlike most cases of Acne where bacteria is the culprit, Fungi is the culprit of Fungal Acne (Hence the name!). There are certain classes & groups of ingredients that have been shown to promote and feed the growth of the Fungal Acne, Fungi such as fatty acids, oils, esters, polysorbates and fermented ingredients.
For more information regarding Fungal Acne, please visit Simple Skincare Science (f.c) - #3 of our Recommend Skincare Resources for an amazing comprehensive guide!
Please Read: How to use the Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Label
At SkinCarisma, we've done our best to identify as many ingredients as possible but note the fungal-free label may not be 100% accurate due to the complexconditions and combination of ingredients that malezzeria can thrive on.
Additionally, products that may contain ingredients that have shown to feed Malassezia may not neccessarily exacerbate the condition due to concentration of ingredient used in the product, this information is simply not available on the products.
As a result, please note this is only an experimental label that can be best used to possible identify problematic products you have used in the past. It is in no way a perfect identifier nor a predictor in whether or not it will exacerbate or cause fungal acne. It will continue to be worked on as more information and research comes to light.
If you find any ingredients you believe should be included, please email us at snails@skincarisma.com.
Disclaimer
Due to the lack of substantial research into this area it is very likely there are other ingredients and class/groups of ingredients that could feed Fungal Acne which have not been indentified.
The Fungal-Safe label does not constitute as medical advice. For your specific case, always consult your medical professiona such as dermatologist, physician, pharmacist, or health care provider - please read our medical disclaimer for more information.
What are Notable Effects & Ingredients?
Ever used a product that promised a certain effect but provided no results? It might not have contained any notable ingredients that could have been responsible for that promised effect. It doesn't matter what the marketing or packaging ยซpromisesยป it can do, if it doesn't contain anything that can help - then the likelihood of it helping is low.
We help you identify key notable ingredients that have been shown to help with effects such as acne-fighting, brightening, UV-protection, wound healing & anti-aging to help you achieve your skincare goals smarter. Please note that different notable ingredients have varying levels of research behind them, some are extremely well proven yet some have mixed research in their efficacy.
Pro Tip Alert!
Just because a product doesn't contain any notable ingredients doesn't mean it's bad. And a product with notable ingredients (or even many) doesn't necessarily guarantee the efficacy of the product performing these effects either. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine this.
Be smart and use this as just a starting point for you to make more informed and smarter choices and compare it with reviews to see if the product is right for you
Notable Effects & Ingredients
Brightening from 1 ingredient(s):
Promotes Wound Healing from 2 ingredient(s):
Ache-fighting from 1 ingredient(s):
What are Ingredients Related to Skin Type?
Why are some products great for some people and horrible for others? Well everyone has different skin types and different reactions to the same ingredients.
We've identified a range of ingredients that are commonly regarded as potentially good or bad for those with Dry, Oily/Acne-Prone or Sensitive skin.
Pro Tip Alert!
A product that contains good or bad ingredients for your skin type doesn't always flat out make the entire product good or bad for your skin. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine your skins reaction.
One of the best ways to use this section is to troubleshoot products you've had bad experiences with in the past. Check if it contains any of the marked ingredients to point out suspect ingredients to avoid in the future!
Ingredients Related to Skin Types
Dry Skin
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
Sensitive Skin
What is the Ingredient Safety Breakdown?
Ingredient Safety Breakdown refers to the percentage % of ingredients in different risk categories as classified by EWG (Environment Working Group) if they are available. There are almost endless cosmetic ingredients and they are one of the few organisations globally that have assigned ratings to a lot of the more commonly used ingredients which is why we reference them.
Pro Tip Alert!
EWG is seen by many to be more on the alarmist side in their assignment of health ratings resulting in rating ingredients as riskier than they actually are. We recommend using this a reference point rather than a strict guide of ingredient safety and to always do further research if into ingredients that you may find suspect.
Ingredient Safety Breakdown
Product ingredient list
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 |
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Protein
Skin Conditioning
|
|
|
| 2 |
Glycerin
Solvent, Perfuming, Fragrance, Humectant, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Denaturant, Skin Conditioning
|
Brightening
Promotes Wound Healing
Hydrating
|
|
| 1 |
Kaolin
Abrasive, Absorbent, Anticaking Agent, Bulking Agent, Opacifying, Skin Protecting, Slip Modifier, Cosmetic Colorant
|
Ache-fighting
Pores
|
|
| 1 |
Water
Solvent, Skin Conditioning
|
|
|
| 0 |
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking, Perfuming, Tonic
|
|