Dealworthy Gel Hand Soap - Clear

A conventional, foaming hand wash that delivers a deep and satisfying cleanse, though its reliance on strong preservatives and synthetic fragrances makes it less suitable for sensitive skin types.

Performance Rating: 8.2

The formula earns an 8.2/10 performance rating due to its robust surfactant system. The combination of sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), cocamidopropyl betaine, and decyl glucoside ensures excellent cleansing, rich lather, and effective removal of dirt and oils. Peg-7 glyceryl cocoate acts as a superfatting agent to prevent excessive dryness, while polyquaternium-7 leaves a smooth, conditioned feel on the skin. Thickeners like sodium chloride and peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate give the hand wash a pleasant, premium viscosity.

Safety Rating: 4.8

The safety rating is a modest 4.8/10 primarily due to the inclusion of methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) and methylisothiazolinone (MI). These preservatives are well-known contact allergens and sensitizers, capable of causing contact dermatitis. Additionally, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) carries a minor risk of 1,4-dioxane contamination during ethoxylation and can be stripping or irritating to compromised skin barriers. The inclusion of synthetic fragrance (parfum) and artificial colorants like red 33 and blue 1 further increases the risk of skin irritation and allergic reactions.

Final Rating: 6.1

The final rating of 6.1/10 reflects a product that offers strong cleansing performance but carries moderate safety risks. While it excels at washing hands and maintaining a pleasant lather and skin feel, it relies on older, highly sensitizing preservatives (MCI/MI) and potentially irritating surfactants (SLES). This makes it a highly effective and functional hand wash, but one that is not ideal for sensitive, dry, or eczema-prone skin.

Verdict

This hand wash is a conventional, surfactant-based formulation designed primarily for effective and deep cleansing of the hands. The primary cleansing agent is sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), which is highly efficient at removing oil, grease, dirt, and microbial buildup. SLES is a standard ingredient in liquid soaps because it produces a rich, satisfying lather; however, it can be stripping to the skin barrier if used frequently throughout the day. To mitigate this drying effect, the formula is thoughtfully balanced with milder co-surfactants like cocamidopropyl betaine and decyl glucoside. These secondary surfactants work synergistically to reduce the overall irritation potential of the sulfate while enhancing the stability of the foam. Furthermore, the inclusion of polyquaternium-7 and peg-7 glyceryl cocoate provides essential skin-conditioning benefits. These emollients and humectants help deposit a light protective film on the skin, preventing excessive moisture loss and leaving the hands feeling relatively soft and smooth after rinsing. Despite these conditioning agents, the preservative and aesthetic ingredients in this product warrant careful consideration. The formula relies on a combination of methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) and methylisothiazolinone (MI) for preservation. While these are highly effective at preventing bacterial and fungal contamination in water-based formulas, they are well-recognized contact allergens and sensitizers. In a rinse-off product like hand wash, the risk is lower than in leave-on creams, but repeated exposure can still trigger allergic contact dermatitis, especially in individuals with compromised skin barriers. The formula also contains synthetic fragrance (parfum) alongside artificial colorants Red 33 and Blue 1. These ingredients are purely aesthetic, designed to provide a pleasant scent and an appealing visual color, but they are common culprits for skin irritation and allergic reactions. Ultimately, this hand wash is a powerful and functional option for general, everyday hand hygiene. It performs excellently at removing heavy soil and grime, making it highly suitable for high-traffic household areas. However, because of the inclusion of strong preservatives, synthetic fragrances, and dyes, it is poorly suited for individuals with delicate skin barriers. If you suffer from frequent hand dryness, eczema, or have a history of cosmetic allergies, you may want to seek out sulfate-free, fragrance-free alternatives that use gentler preservative systems.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Solvents / 溶剂

🧪 water (aqua) / 水

Purpose: Solvent

Concerns: None

Notes: Main carrier ingredient in the formulation.

📁 Surfactants & Cleansing Agents / 表面活性剂与清洁剂

🧪 sodium laureth sulfate / 月桂醇聚醚硫酸酯钠

Purpose: Primary anionic surfactant for cleansing and foaming.

Concerns: Can cause dryness or irritation; potential risk of 1,4-dioxane contamination during manufacturing.

Notes: A highly common foaming agent, milder than Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).

🧪 cocamidopropyl betaine / 椰油酰胺丙基甜菜碱

Purpose: Amphoteric surfactant, foam booster, and mildness enhancer.

Concerns: May cause allergic contact dermatitis due to trace impurities from manufacturing.

Notes: Derived from coconut oil, helps reduce irritation of harsher surfactants.

🧪 decyl glucoside / 癸基葡萄糖苷

Purpose: Mild non-ionic surfactant.

Concerns: Very low hazard profile, extremely gentle on skin.

Notes: Plant-derived cleansing agent, suitable for sensitive skin.

🧪 poloxamer 124 / 泊洛沙姆 124

Purpose: Mild surfactant and solubilizing agent.

Concerns: Generally safe, but can cause minor skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Notes: Commonly used to disperse fragrances and oils in aqueous solutions.

🧪 peg-7 glyceryl cocoate / PEG-7 椰油酸甘油酯

Purpose: Emollient and co-surfactant.

Concerns: Ethoxylated compound with potential for 1,4-dioxane contamination.

Notes: Acts as a refatting agent to keep skin soft and prevent excessive dryness.

📁 Viscosity & Texture Modifiers / 增稠与流变调节剂

🧪 sodium chloride / 氯化钠

Purpose: Viscosity builder.

Concerns: None at typical cosmetic concentrations.

Notes: Common table salt; thickens surfactant-based formulas.

🧪 peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate / PEG-120 甲基葡糖二油酸酯

Purpose: Thickener and anti-irritant.

Concerns: Ethoxylated ingredient, potential for minor impurities like ethylene oxide.

Notes: Highly effective at thickening while reducing the irritation of surfactant systems.

🧪 sodium sulfate / 硫酸钠

Purpose: Viscosity-increasing agent.

Concerns: Can be drying to the skin in high concentrations.

Notes: Often present as a byproduct of surfactants or added to adjust formulation thickness.

📁 Conditioning Agents / 调理剂与护肤剂

🧪 polyquaternium-7 / 聚季铵盐-7

Purpose: Skin conditioning agent and antistatic.

Concerns: No significant health concerns.

Notes: Leaves a smooth, moisturized feel on the skin after washing.

📁 Preservatives & Chelating Agents / 防腐剂与螯合剂

🧪 methylchloroisothiazolinone / 甲基氯异噻唑啉酮

Purpose: Preservative.

Concerns: High skin sensitization and allergy risk; restricted to rinse-off cosmetics.

Notes: Known as MCI, highly effective antimicrobial agent.

🧪 methylisothiazolinone / 甲基异噻唑啉酮

Purpose: Preservative.

Concerns: Strong allergen and contact sensitizer; highly restricted or banned in leave-on products.

Notes: Known as MI, often paired with MCI (together known as Kathon CG).

🧪 tetrasodium edta / 乙二胺四乙酸四钠

Purpose: Chelating agent.

Concerns: Can enhance skin penetration of other ingredients; poor biodegradability.

Notes: Binds metal ions to prevent spoilage and maintain product clarity.

📁 pH Adjusters / pH 调节剂

🧪 citric acid / 柠檬酸

Purpose: pH adjuster.

Concerns: Can cause mild skin or eye irritation if concentration is high.

Notes: Naturally derived acid used to balance product pH with skin pH.

📁 Fragrance & Colorants / 香精与着色剂

🧪 fragrance (parfum) / 香精

Purpose: Scenting agent.

Concerns: High risk of skin irritation and contact allergies; specific ingredients are usually undisclosed.

Notes: Masks chemical smells and provides a pleasant washing experience.

🧪 red 33 (ci 17200) / 红色 33 号

Purpose: Cosmetic colorant.

Concerns: Synthetic coal tar dye; minor potential for sensitivity.

Notes: Provides a red or pink color to the hand wash.

🧪 blue 1 (ci 42090) / 蓝色 1 号

Purpose: Cosmetic colorant.

Concerns: Synthetic dye; generally considered very safe but some potential for mild sensitivity.

Notes: Provides a blue color; can be combined with red to produce violet shades.