Dawn Original Dish Soap, Clean Scent

A heavy-duty, conventional dish detergent powered by Sodium Lauryl Sulfate for grease removal but preserved with the potent allergen Methylisothiazolinone.

Performance Rating: 4.7

This formulation relies on a powerful surfactant system led by Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and C10-16 Alkyldimethylamine Oxide, a combination known for exceptional grease-cutting and foaming capabilities similar to leading commercial brands. The inclusion of PEI-14 PEG-24/PPG-16 Copolymer is a significant performance booster; this specialized polymer helps suspend grease in the water to prevent redeposition on dishes. The addition of nonionic surfactants (Deceth-8, C9-11 Pareth-8) and Alcohol Denat. ensures quick wetting and effective breakdown of oily residues.

Safety Rating: 1.9

The safety profile is compromised by the presence of Methylisothiazolinone (MIT), a preservative classified as a strong contact allergen and skin sensitizer, which is often restricted in cosmetic formulations. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate can be drying and irritating to sensitive skin. The ingredient list includes Fragrances, a non-specific term that may hide phthalates or other allergens, and Ethoxylated ingredients (Deceth-8, Pareth-8, PEGs), which carry a risk of 1,4-dioxane contamination if not manufactured with high purity standards. Additionally, synthetic dyes like Acid Blue 9 add no functional value.

Final Rating: 3.3

This is a product optimized for cleaning efficacy rather than ingredient safety or eco-friendliness. While it will likely perform excellently on tough grease and baked-on food due to its robust detergent system and cleaning polymers, the use of harsh preservatives like Methylisothiazolinone and strong stripping agents makes it less suitable for users with sensitive skin or those seeking non-toxic, green alternatives. It represents a standard, high-performance conventional dish soap.

Verdict

This dish soap formulation represents a classic, high-performance approach to residential cleaning, prioritizing grease-cutting power over skin gentleness. The primary engine of this formula is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), a strong anionic surfactant that is exceptionally effective at breaking down fats and creating the rich, billowing foam that many consumers equate with cleanliness. This cleaning action is significantly boosted by the addition of Alcohol Denat., a solvent that helps dissolve oils and speed up drying time, and C10-16 Alkyldimethylamine Oxide, which serves as a foam stabilizer to ensure your suds do not collapse halfway through the load.

To further assist in removing stuck-on food, the formula includes non-ionic surfactants like Deceth-8 and C9-11 Pareth-8. These ingredients are excellent at emulsifying soils and keeping them suspended in the wash water so they do not redeposit on your dishes. The inclusion of PEI-14 PEG-24/PPG-16 Copolymer is a sophisticated addition often found in modern detergents to boost this cleaning efficiency, targeting complex stains. From a purely functional standpoint, this product will likely handle dirty pots and pans with ease.

However, the chemical profile suggests it may be harsh on the user. The combination of SLS and denatured alcohol creates a formula that is likely to be stripping and drying to the skin. Users who wash dishes frequently without gloves may experience roughness or irritation. Of greater concern is the preservative system. While it contains Phenoxyethanol, which is relatively safe, it also relies on Methylisothiazolinone (MIT). MIT is a well-documented contact allergen that has caused a rise in dermatitis cases, leading many dermatologists to advise against it for leave-on products, though it remains common in rinse-off products like this.

Finally, the product prioritizes aesthetics over natural formulation. It utilizes Fragrances of unspecified origin, which can be irritating to sensitive airways and skin, and Acid Blue 9, a synthetic dye added purely for visual appeal. Because of the presence of strong sensitizers like MIT and potential irritants like SLS and alcohol, this product is best reserved for tough grease situations where gloves are worn. It is functionally robust but lacks the derm-friendly attributes required for sensitive households.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Solvents / 溶剂

🧪 Water / 水

Purpose: Provides a liquid base for the product.

Concerns: None.

Notes: Universal solvent.

🧪 Alcohol Denat. / 变性酒精

Purpose: Controls viscosity and acts as a solvent.

Concerns: Can be drying to the skin; potential irritant for sensitive skin.

Notes: Also helps stabilize the formula.

🧪 PPG-26 / 聚丙二醇-26

Purpose: Solvent and skin-conditioning agent.

Concerns: Generally safe, but synthetic origin.

Notes: Helps in texture and stability.

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

🧪 Sodium Lauryl Sulfate / 十二烷基硫酸钠

Purpose: Primary cleaning agent and foaming agent.

Concerns: Can cause skin irritation and strip natural oils from skin.

Notes: Effective at removing grease.

🧪 C10-16 Alkyldimethylamine Oxide / C10-16 烷基二甲基氧化胺

Purpose: Surfactant that boosts foam and aids in cleaning.

Concerns: Can be irritating to eyes and skin if concentrated.

Notes: Often used to stabilize foam.

🧪 Deceth-8 / 癸醇聚醚-8

Purpose: Non-ionic surfactant that emulsifies oil and grease.

Concerns: Ethoxylated ingredient; potential risk of 1,4-dioxane contamination (carcinogen) if not purified properly.

Notes: Helps lift grease off surfaces.

🧪 C9-11 Pareth-8 / C9-11 链烷醇聚醚-8

Purpose: Non-ionic surfactant for cleaning and emulsifying.

Concerns: Ethoxylated ingredient; potential risk of 1,4-dioxane contamination.

Notes: Effective grease cutter.

🧪 PEI-14 PEG-24/PPG-16 Copolymer / PEI-14 PEG-24/PPG-16 共聚物

Purpose: Cleaning polymer.

Concerns: Synthetic polymer; environmental biodegradability varies.

Notes: Helps keep dirt suspended in water so it does not redeposit on dishes.

📁 Viscosity Modifiers / 粘度调节剂

🧪 Sodium Chloride / 氯化钠

Purpose: Thickens the liquid.

Concerns: None.

Notes: Common table salt.

📁 Preservatives / 防腐剂

🧪 Phenoxyethanol / 苯氧乙醇

Purpose: Prevents bacterial and fungal growth.

Concerns: Can be an irritant to skin and eyes; restricted concentration in cosmetics.

Notes: Alternative to parabens.

🧪 Methylisothiazolinone / 甲基异噻唑啉酮

Purpose: Strong preservative to prevent microbial growth.

Concerns: Known skin sensitizer and allergen; frequent cause of contact dermatitis.

Notes: Often referred to as MIT.

📁 Fragrances and Colorants / 香精和色素

🧪 Fragrances / 香精

Purpose: Adds scent to the product.

Concerns: Common cause of allergic reactions and skin irritation; specific chemical composition is often undisclosed.

Notes: Phthalates are sometimes used in fragrances but are increasingly avoided.

🧪 Acid Blue 9 / 酸性蓝 9

Purpose: Synthetic blue dye.

Concerns: Generally considered safe for wash-off products, though some synthetic dyes are linked to hypersensitivity.

Notes: Provides the product’s color.