Before You Splurge: The Pros and Cons of 100% Pure’s "Clean" Cocoa Skincare Line
The clean beauty movement directly challenges the status quo of chemical-riddled beauty products. We put one of the most coveted collections by 100% Pure, a non-toxic industry leader, to the test.
Time to Read: 8 min
100% Pure is a clean beauty brand based out of Berkeley, California, that’s committed to being gluten-free, natural, and vegan. They make fruit-died and plant-based makeup, haircare, bodycare, and skincare that directly shows how green beauty can be. For consumers who have struggled to find chemical-free, staple products, 100% Pure fills that void with rice and fruit-based products.
Offering a cleanser, exfoliator, moisture mask, and body scrub, the 100% Pure Cocoa skincare line is primarily coconut and cocoa ingredients; the combination is not only nourishing but also calming and gentle to sensitive skin. But is it worth the pretty penny? Here’s everything you need to know about their Cocoa Cream Cleanser and Cocoa Bean Facial Scrub if you’re a conscious consumer wanting to give it a try:
The Basics
First things first: Those with allergies or acne-prone skin are advised to check product safety ratings before trying anything new. That’s where EWG’s Skin Deep database comes in. If you’re not familiar with it already, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to human health and environmental protection. Their database provides a detailed breakdown of ingredient safety, helping consumers make informed decisions about the products they buy and use.
Products that use organic, plant-based ingredients are some of the best for sensitive skin. As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to avoid ingredients with long, unpronounceable chemical names as they often cause irritation. In addition to this guideline, EWG’s Skin Deep database will teach you the other sneaky ingredients to avoid. Its hazard ratings highlight the risks of ingredients, such as the potential for cancer, allergic reactions, or even developmental concerns. For hyper-sensitive people, it’s a great tool to make sure the products you use are gentle and safe for your skin, whether brands maintain their original formulas or roll out “new and improved” collections.
Like many brands focusing on social good and sustainability, companies sometimes update their formulas to stay competitive. That’s what makes the Skin Deep database so special—you can stay vigilant as a consumer and regularly check product ingredients to make sure safety and quality haven’t been compromised.
One thing to note is that these specific products aren’t listed on the EWG database yet, but many other 100% Pure products rank very low (around a 1 on average), meaning they’re considered low-hazard. Before you spend a pretty penny, you can rest knowing that 100% Pure has consistently delivered hypoallergenic products with recognizable, non-toxic ingredients. Who doesn’t want that?
The Brand
Pros
Their Ingredients: Their products don’t contain any unnecessary additives, perfumes, or chemicals, which keeps consumers with sensitive skin coming back—their clean, natural ingredients provide peace of mind.
Their Packaging: 100% Pure products arrive in standard recyclable packages. Their protective packing peanuts are biodegradable, and items tend to be individually wrapped in recyclable or biodegradable containers. They really think through every part of the shopping experience to keep their brand plant-based and sustainable.
Their Customer Service: Their stores also give such a wonderful spa-like experience. It’s not just about buying products; it feels like self-care every time you visit.
Cons
Their Shade Range: As much as some may love 100% Pure, we have to be honest: like many clean beauty brands, they need to do better with the range of their complexion products. 100% Pure has limited shade ranges that still leave many melanated folks out.
Their SPF Options: Products like their BB cream and older tinted moisturizers oxidized badly on deeper skin tones, making them look ashy. Some of their foundations have improved, but there’s still room for more shades and undertones. They also used to include SPF in their tinted moisturizers, but not anymore. Now, SPF is a separate product, which can cause flashback issues for people with darker skin tones because of the zinc content.
Brands really need to remember: melanin-rich skin is not (and should not) be an afterthought!
The 100% Pure Cocoa Cream Cleanser
100% Pure cleansers are some of the best in the green beauty space (in our humble opinion). Their Eucalyptus Seafoam Facial Cleanser1 was one of the first to solidify the fruit and veggie-based brand; it didn’t strip consumers of their natural oils while cleansing, which is a consistent pro of 100% Pure cleansers that consumers continue to rave about. It’s this kind of reliability that makes 100% Pure’s cleansers beloved and highly sought after, even with the release of new collections. Their Cocoa Cream Facial Cleanser was no different. Here’s what we loved about it:
Price & Packaging: The cleanser is priced at $30, and there’s a subscription option for 15% off. It’s a rich, creamy face cleanser that softens skin and lifts away impurities with organic Ecuadorian cocoa and gentle plant-based ingredients.
Texture & Smell: The texture is smooth and silky—definitely a decadent experience. The cleanser has a faint chocolatey scent with a hint of vanilla, which makes it feel like a real treat for your skin.
Effectiveness: The Cocoa Cream Cleanser is a hydrating cleanser that works well for all skin types, especially for those with dry skin or those who live in drier climates. It’s also perfect for sensitive skin because it doesn’t strip or irritate, which is a must if you’re using it twice a day as recommended.
Skin Tone Improvement: For those who deal with discoloration and/or post-rash hyperpigmentation, this cleanser will help reduce redness and even out your skin tone, leaving you with a “glow-from-within” hue over time.
Is it Worth It?: If you’re looking for a gentle, natural skincare routine that can handle sensitive skin and help with uneven skin tone, we highly recommend giving 100% Pure’s Cocoa Cream Cleanser a try. It’s usually sold out, but it’s 100% worth it.
The 100% Pure Cocoa Bean Facial Scrub
When it comes to exfoliators, 100% Pure has had plenty of cult favorites over the years. For example, their Red Wine Resveratrol Scrub and Acai Pulp Facial Scrub were always sold out. Unfortunately, the Red Wine Scrub, which also doubled as a face mask, is no longer sold, although we’re still hoping they’ll bring it back one day. They managed to strike gold again with their Cocoa Bean Facial Scrub. Meeting clean beauty standards, here’s what’s been making it such a win:
Price & Packaging: $38 can seem a little pricey for the size when you first look at the scrub online. However, it lasts quite a long time. It comes in a clear, compact, squeezable bottle, which helps you see how much product you’ve used. A little goes a long way with this facial smoother—seriously, all you need is a pea-sized amount per use—and the results are well worth it.
Texture & Smell: This facial scrub is nutrient-dense and gently polishes the skin while nourishing with vitamin E. The scrub has a beautiful texture—you can actually see the cacao nibs in it. It doesn’t lather, and it leaves a soft, satin-like finish without stripping your skin’s natural oils. It feels hydrated, not greasy or overly dry. Honestly, your skin will feel silky smooth after every use. And the scent? It’s absolutely divine. Your senses will be engaged with soft chocolate-honey notes, and the body scrub version (Cocoa Coffee Body Scrub, $38) might be an even creamier, larger treat for the skin.
Effectiveness: If your skin naturally loves ingredients like cocoa, coconut, shea butter, and vitamin E, this formula will feel like it was made for you. Using a pea-sized amount (which is plenty), it gently polishes away bumps, flakes, and dullness. 100% Pure uses high-quality, fair-trade Ecuadorian cacao, packed with antioxidants and natural caffeine, which helps reduce redness and promote a glowy complexion.
Is it Worth It?: In our opinion, the Cocoa Bean Facial Scrub is definitely worth it. The scrub is natural, vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free—big wins all around. Plus, if you catch it during a sale, you can snag it for $19 or even cheaper with a subscription! If you really want to save, you can purchase the Body Scrub for multipurpose use on your face.
Going Forward
Our hope for the future is that 100% Pure doesn’t discontinue this line! OG supporters were heartbroken over the loss of their Mint Seafoam Cleanser, which was a godsend for hormonal acne sufferers. Ideally, we’d love to see them expand this Cocoa line with a matching day and night cream. Their toners are pretty amazing, so a full Cocoa skincare routine with a Cocoa Toner would be chef’s kiss perfection.
Is 100% Pure Worth It?
With the “clean girl” aesthetic on the rise, the green beauty industry is booming. Consumers have more options than ever before, as competitors claim to be the cleanest, safest, and kindest to all skin types and the planet. Some of these conscious brands are just getting started and still have to smooth out the edges, so it’s important to keep in mind that they’re still marketing and “selling” a product for profit. Just like with ethical fashion, responsible skincare and beauty brands tend to be more expensive; consumers can still be mindful of their wallets as the demand for dirty-free beauty grows by shopping seasonally, minimally, and according to their current skin needs.
Some of 100% Pure’s affordable competitors, like Cocokind and Pacifica, are more accessible and offer a similar plant-based profile. Derma E and Eadem mirrors 100% Pure’s price range while providing cruelty-free products that are inclusive of BIPOC needs. To find credible, vetted brands and products, Credo Beauty and EWG’s Verified database are viable resources.
Overall, we love that 100% Pure’s skincare is gentle yet effective. After building their products into your routine, your skin will feel radiant and healthy without using microdermabrasion or microneedling techniques. Despite a few critiques, we highly recommend 100% Pure—especially for those with sensitive skin who need gentle, nourishing products. We hope they continue to grow, expand their complexion ranges, and hold onto their amazing core skincare lines without letting fleeting trends dictate too much change. If you’re looking for a toxic-free, trustworthy brand that delivers real results, 100% Pure is definitely worth checking out.
The Eucalyptus Seafoam Facial Cleanser was discontinued.