365 by Whole Foods Market Foaming Hand Soap, Fragrance Free

A sulfate-free, plant-based hand wash formulated with gentle surfactants and enriched with soothing botanicals like Aloe and Chamomile to cleanse without stripping natural oils.

Performance Rating: 4.5

This formula utilizes a premium, sulfate-free surfactant blend consisting of Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (often called ‘baby foam’), and Sodium Cocoamphoacetate. This combination ensures effective cleansing without stripping the skin’s natural oils. The inclusion of moisturizing agents such as Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), and Organic Aloe suggests the product will leave hands feeling soft and hydrated rather than dry or tight after washing. The presence of Tocopherol (Vitamin E) adds antioxidant benefits.

Safety Rating: 4.6

The safety profile is excellent. It avoids harsh irritants commonly found in hand soaps, such as SLS/SLES, parabens, triclosan, and synthetic fragrances (assuming the absence of ‘Fragrance/Parfum’ in the list implies it is unscented). The preservative system (Benzyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Sorbic Acid) is EcoCert-compliant and gentler than traditional options like methylisothiazolinone. Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate is a biodegradable chelating agent, a safer alternative to EDTA. The inclusion of organic botanical extracts (Burdock Root, Chamomile) further supports a soothing, non-irritating experience.

Final Rating: 4.5

This is a top-tier hand wash formulation that prioritizes skin health. By combining gentle, biodegradable cleansers with substantial skin-conditioning ingredients like Jojoba Esters and Panthenol, it strikes a perfect balance between hygiene and skincare. It is highly suitable for frequent hand washers and individuals with sensitive or dry skin.

Verdict

This hand wash features an impressively mild formulation designed to minimize irritation while maintaining hygiene. Instead of harsh detergents like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), it utilizes a trio of gentle cleansers—Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, and Sodium Cocoamphoacetate. This combination is well-known for producing a creamy lather that effectively lifts dirt without compromising the skin’s protective barrier, making it an excellent choice for frequent hand washing or for those prone to dryness. To ensure the hands remain soft, the formula includes Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters and Glycerin, which act as humectants to draw moisture into the skin. The addition of Panthenol (Vitamin B5) and Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice further enhances the soothing profile, offering relief to rough or chapped hands. The botanical inclusion of Burdock Root and Chamomile adds anti-inflammatory properties, which is beneficial for calming reactive skin. The product relies on a preservation system commonly found in natural cosmetics, involving Benzyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, and Sorbic Acid. While this is a robust alternative to parabens, the presence of Salicylic Acid serves as a preservative here rather than an active exfoliant. Overall, this is a thoughtfully constructed product that balances effective cleansing with significant skin-conditioning benefits, suitable for the whole family.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Solvent / 溶剂

🧪 WATER / 水

Purpose: Solvent

Concerns: None

Notes: The main liquid base of the product.

📁 Surfactants (Cleansing Agents) / 表面活性剂(清洁剂)

🧪 DECYL GLUCOSIDE / 癸基葡糖苷

Purpose: Surfactant/Cleanser

Concerns: None

Notes: A gentle, plant-derived non-ionic surfactant suitable for sensitive skin.

🧪 SODIUM COCOYL ISETHIONATE / 椰油酰羟乙磺酸酯钠

Purpose: Surfactant/Cleanser

Concerns: None

Notes: A mild anionic surfactant known for creamy lather; often called ‘baby foam’.

🧪 SODIUM COCOAMPHOACETATE / 椰油酰两性基乙酸钠

Purpose: Surfactant/Foam Booster

Concerns: None

Notes: A very mild amphoteric surfactant often used in baby products.

📁 Preservatives & Stabilizers / 防腐剂与稳定剂

🧪 BENZYL ALCOHOL / 苯甲醇

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: Potential allergen

Notes: A common preservative; generally safe but is one of the EU 26 fragrance allergens.

🧪 SODIUM CITRATE / 柠檬酸钠

Purpose: Buffer/pH Adjuster

Concerns: None

Notes: Helps maintain the pH balance of the product.

🧪 TETRASODIUM GLUTAMATE DIACETATE / 谷氨酸二乙酸四钠

Purpose: Chelating Agent

Concerns: None

Notes: A biodegradable alternative to EDTA; binds to metal ions to improve stability.

🧪 CITRIC ACID / 柠檬酸

Purpose: pH Adjuster

Concerns: Mild irritation in high concentrations

Notes: Used to adjust the acidity of the product to match the skin.

🧪 SALICYLIC ACID / 水杨酸

Purpose: Preservative/Exfoliant

Concerns: Dryness/Irritation

Notes: Acts as a preservative here; also has exfoliating properties.

🧪 SORBIC ACID / 山梨酸

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: None

Notes: A natural organic compound used as a food and cosmetic preservative.

📁 Skin Conditioning & Extracts / 皮肤调理与提取物

🧪 GLYCERIN / 甘油

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: Attracts moisture to the skin to prevent dryness.

🧪 HYDROLYZED JOJOBA ESTERS / 水解荷荷巴酯

Purpose: Skin Conditioning

Concerns: None

Notes: Provides emollience and improves skin feel.

🧪 PANTHENOL / 泛醇 (维生素B5)

Purpose: Soothing/Moisturizing

Concerns: None

Notes: Provitamin B5; promotes healing and soothes the skin.

🧪 TOCOPHEROL / 生育酚 (维生素E)

Purpose: Antioxidant

Concerns: None

Notes: Vitamin E; protects the product and skin from oxidation.

🧪 ORGANIC ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE / 有机库拉索芦荟叶汁

Purpose: Soothing/Moisturizing

Concerns: None

Notes: Well-known for soothing irritated skin.

🧪 ORGANIC ARCTIUM LAPPA (BURDOCK) ROOT EXTRACT / 有机牛蒡根提取物

Purpose: Antioxidant/Soothing

Concerns: None

Notes: Used for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

🧪 ORGANIC CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA (MATRICARIA) FLOWER EXTRACT / 有机母菊(洋甘菊)花提取物

Purpose: Soothing

Concerns: Ragweed allergy cross-reaction

Notes: Calms sensitive or irritated skin.