Honest Shampoo + Body Wash, Sensitive

A fragrance-free and sulfate-free body wash formulated with ultra-mild surfactants and soothing botanicals like Aloe and Chamomile to cleanse without stripping the skin barrier.

Performance Rating: 4.5

This formulation utilizes a sophisticated blend of mild surfactants (Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate) that provide effective cleansing without stripping the skin’s natural oils like traditional harsh sulfates might. The inclusion of high-quality humectants and conditioners—specifically Aloe Vera, Glycerin, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), and Sodium PCA—ensures the skin remains hydrated. Additionally, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride acts as a conditioning agent to leave skin feeling soft and smooth after rinsing.

Safety Rating: 4.9

The ingredient profile is exceptional for safety. It is notably fragrance-free, which eliminates the most common cause of contact dermatitis in personal care products. It avoids harsh irritants such as SLS/SLES, parabens, and formaldehyde releasers. Instead, it uses gentle preservatives (Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Benzoate) and a biodegradable chelating agent (Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate). The addition of soothing botanicals like Calendula and Chamomile makes this highly suitable for sensitive or reactive skin.

Final Rating: 4.7

This is a top-tier body wash formulation that prioritizes skin barrier health. It strikes an excellent balance between cleaning power and mildness, making it ideal for daily use on sensitive skin, babies, or those wishing to avoid synthetic chemicals. The combination of gentle cleansers, soothing extracts, and the absence of fragrance results in a highly rated, safe, and effective product.

Verdict

This body wash presents an impressively mild formulation designed specifically for delicate or reactive skin types. The cleansing system is built around Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine and Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, surfactants known for their ability to clean effectively without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Notably absent are harsh sulfates like SLS or SLES, which often cause dryness and irritation. Instead, the inclusion of Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate adds a gentle, conditioning foam that feels soft on the skin. Beyond simple cleansing, the ingredient list is packed with soothing agents. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice appears second on the list, indicating a high concentration of this hydrating botanical. It is complemented by a trio of calming extracts: Calendula, Chamomile, and Coconut Fruit Extract. These ingredients are historically used to reduce redness and calm inflammation, making this wash an excellent choice for irritated skin. The addition of Panthenol (Vitamin B5) and Sodium PCA further boosts the hydration profile, helping to retain moisture long after the shower is over. One of the most significant features of this product is what is missing: fragrance. There are no added perfumes, essential oils, or masking scents listed. Fragrance is one of the most common allergens in skincare, so its absence makes this product highly suitable for those with eczema, psoriasis, or fragrance hypersensitivity. The formula also utilizes a safe preservation system involving Caprylhydroxamic Acid and Sodium Benzoate, avoiding parabens and formaldehyde releasers. The texture is likely improved by Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, a conditioning agent that leaves skin feeling smooth rather than squeaky clean. While it may not produce the massive, stripping bubbles of a conventional drugstore soap, its creamy lather effectively removes impurities. Overall, this is a thoughtfully constructed, hypoallergenic wash that prioritizes skin health and barrier protection over sensory gimmicks.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Solvents / 溶剂

🧪 Water (Aqua) / 水

Purpose: Solvent base for the formula

Concerns: None

Notes: Universal solvent

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

🧪 Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine / 椰油酰胺丙基羟基磺基甜菜碱

Purpose: Amphoteric surfactant, boosts foam

Concerns: Generally safe, very mild

Notes: A gentle alternative to harsh sulfates

🧪 Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate / 椰油基葡糖苷羟丙基磺酸钠

Purpose: Gentle cleansing

Concerns: None

Notes: A naturally derived, sulfate-free surfactant

🧪 Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate / 椰油酰谷氨酸二钠

Purpose: Amino acid-based surfactant

Concerns: None

Notes: Leaves skin feeling soft; very mild

🧪 Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate / 椰油酰羟乙磺酸钠

Purpose: Surfactant, foaming agent

Concerns: None

Notes: Known as ‘baby foam’ for its mildness

🧪 Coconut Acid / 椰子酸

Purpose: Surfactant component, emulsifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Fatty acid mixture from coconut oil

📁 Moisturizers & Conditioners / 保湿剂和调理剂

🧪 Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice / 库拉索芦荟叶汁

Purpose: Soothing, moisturizing

Concerns: None

Notes: Great for sensitive or irritated skin

🧪 Glycerin / 甘油

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: Draws moisture into the skin

🧪 Panthenol / 泛醇 (维生素B5)

Purpose: Soothing, hydrating

Concerns: None

Notes: Pro-vitamin B5

🧪 Sodium PCA / 吡咯烷酮羧酸钠

Purpose: Skin-identical ingredient, humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: Part of the skin’s Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF)

🧪 Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride / 瓜儿胶羟丙基三甲基氯化铵

Purpose: Conditioning agent, antistatic

Concerns: None

Notes: Provides slip and soft feel to skin

📁 Botanical Extracts / 植物提取物

🧪 Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract / 金盏花提取物

Purpose: Soothing, anti-inflammatory

Concerns: Rare allergy potential to Asteraceae family

Notes: Excellent for calming skin

🧪 Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract / 母菊(洋甘菊)花提取物

Purpose: Soothing, calming

Concerns: Rare allergy potential to Asteraceae family

Notes: Reduces redness and irritation

🧪 Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract / 椰子果提取物

Purpose: Skin conditioning, scent

Concerns: None

Notes: Rich in skin-conditioning fatty acids

📁 Preservatives & Stabilizers / 防腐剂和稳定剂

🧪 Caprylyl Glycol / 辛甘醇

Purpose: Humectant, antimicrobial booster

Concerns: None

Notes: Improves the efficacy of preservatives

🧪 Caprylhydroxamic Acid / 辛酰羟肟酸

Purpose: Chelating agent, fungistatic

Concerns: None

Notes: Often derived from coconut oil; keeps product stable

🧪 Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate / 乙二胺二琥珀酸三钠

Purpose: Chelating agent

Concerns: None

Notes: Biodegradable alternative to EDTA; prevents metal ions from spoiling product

🧪 Sodium Benzoate / 苯甲酸钠

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: Generally safe, rare sensitivity

Notes: Food-grade preservative effective against bacteria and fungi

📁 Viscosity & pH Adjusters / 粘度控制和pH调节剂

🧪 Sodium Chloride / 氯化钠

Purpose: Thickening agent

Concerns: None

Notes: Common salt; thickens surfactant systems

🧪 Citric Acid / 柠檬酸

Purpose: pH adjuster

Concerns: None

Notes: Ensures product is skin-neutral pH

🧪 Glutamic Acid / 谷氨酸

Purpose: pH adjuster, humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: Amino acid that also helps retain moisture