The easiest clean neem paste to find in store: xylitol-rich, SLS- and carrageenan-free, with a small amount of neem.
Grade
AFull check
AEvidence only
−1 from preference
Real neem. Neem on the label: 16th of 22.
Ingredients, in label order
Explain every ingredient
- Water (aqua) — Neutral. Base: keeps the paste moist.
- Calcium Carbonate — Good. Gentle mineral cleaner.
- Xylitol — Good. Xylitol: sugar alcohol that cavity bacteria can't use. Supportive evidence.
- Vegetable Glycerin (from vegetable oils) — Neutral. Base: keeps the paste moist.
- Silica — Neutral. Silica: standard polishing agent.
- Lauryl Glucoside (from coconut oil) — Neutral. Mild foaming agent (not SLS).
- Stevia Rebaudiana (stevia) Extract — Neutral. Plant-derived sweetener.
- Xanthan Gum — Neutral. Plant thickener.
- Flavor (from essential oils and botanicals) — Neutral. Flavor said to come from essential oils and botanicals, but the oils aren't named.
- Sodium Bicarbonate — Good. Gentle mineral cleaner.
- Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate & Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate (from amino acids and vegetable oil) — Neutral. Mild foaming agent (not SLS).
- Organic Menthol (from peppermint leaves) — Neutral. Named plant oil or flavor compound. Fully disclosed.
- Sodium Chloride — Neutral. Common toothpaste ingredient.
- Zinc Citrate — Neutral. Common toothpaste ingredient.
- Thymol (from thyme leaf oil) — Neutral. Named plant oil or flavor compound. Fully disclosed.
- Organic Melia Azadirachta (neem) Leaf Extract — Good. Neem (Azadirachta indica): the reason for the category. Lab studies show it inhibits cavity bacteria; clinical plaque/gum evidence is small and short-term.
- Organic Punica Granatum (pomegranate) Fruit Extract — Neutral. Plant ingredient.
- Organic Embelia Ribes (vidanga) Fruit Extract — Neutral. Plant ingredient.
- Organic Terminalia Bellerica (belleric myrobalan) Fruit Extract — Neutral. Plant ingredient.
- Organic Phyllanthus Emblica (amla) Fruit Extract — Neutral. Plant ingredient.
- Organic Terminalia Chebula (chebulic myrobalan) Fruit Extract — Neutral. Plant ingredient.
- Organic Acacia Arabica (Indian gum arabic tree) Bark Extract — Neutral. Plant thickener.
Watch-outs
- Same name, different pasteHimalaya also sells a 6.17 oz "Complete Care Neem & Pomegranate" with SLS, saccharin and titanium dioxide. Check for "Botanique" and 5.29 oz.
- Neem-washing (mild)Listing titles say "with Xylitol & Neem", while neem sits 16th of 22.
- Listing errorAmazon lists "Active ingredient: triclosan" even though the paste is triclosan-free.
Score breakdown
| Starting score | 100 |
| Flavor (from unnamed essential oils) | −1 |
| Score | 99 → A |
|---|
Where to buy
| Store | Size | Price | Per oz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart | 5.29 oz | $7.49 | $1.42/oz |
| Target | 5.29 oz | $7.49 | $1.42/oz |
| Brand site | 5.29 oz | $7.49 | $1.42/oz |
| Sproutsnot confirmed | 5.29 oz | $7.49 | $1.42/oz |
Shopper notes
- Sep 28 direct check: in stock on the brand site ($7.49, 4-pack $24.99), Walmart ($7.49) and Target (Cinnamon, $7.49). Kroger's product page has been removed.
- Neem is a minor extract; buy it for the clean base, not for a big neem dose.
- Walgreens has dropped it online.