EOS Vanilla Cashmere Body Wash

A rich, foaming body wash that combines strong cleansing agents like Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate with deeply moisturizing Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter.

Performance Rating: 4.4

This body wash formulation offers a robust balance between cleansing and moisturizing. The primary surfactants, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), are strong cleansers that create a rich lather. However, unlike stripping cleansers, this formula includes significant emollients early in the list, such as Glycerin, Cocoa Seed Butter, Shea Butter, and Sunflower Seed Oil. The addition of Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride provides a conditioning feel (slip) to the skin, while Glycol Distearate gives the product a luxurious, pearlescent texture. It is likely to leave skin feeling clean but not overly dry.

Safety Rating: 3.4

The safety profile is moderate, typical of standard drugstore formulations. Key concerns include the presence of Fragrance/Parfum and Benzyl Benzoate, which are potential allergens and skin sensitizers. Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate and SLES can be drying or irritating to sensitive skin types or those with eczema. Additionally, the inclusion of ethoxylated ingredients (SLES, PEG-150, Polysorbate 20) carries a low-level risk of 1,4-dioxane contamination, though usually managed in manufacturing. Preservatives like Phenoxyethanol and Sodium Benzoate are standard and safe for rinse-off products.

Final Rating: 3.9

Overall, this is a highly functional, moisturizing body wash best, suited for normal to dry skin types. It excels in performance by effectively combining strong cleansing agents with rich natural oils and butters like Shea and Cocoa. However, it loses points in the safety category due to the inclusion of potential irritants like synthetic fragrances, sulfates, and strong surfactants, making it less ideal for those seeking ‘clean beauty’ standards or those with highly reactive skin.

Verdict

This formulation represents a popular category of body washes that attempt to strike a balance between high-performance cleansing and luxurious moisturization. The surfactant system relies primarily on Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). These are powerful detergents known for their ability to strip away oil, dirt, and sweat effectively while producing a voluminous foam. While effective, these ingredients can be drying on their own. To mitigate this, the formula incorporates Cocamidopropyl Betaine, an amphoteric surfactant that reduces the potential irritation caused by the stronger anionic cleansers.

The star feature of this product is undoubtedly its emollient profile. Glycerin appears very high on the ingredient list, serving as a humectant to draw moisture into the skin. This is immediately supported by a blend of Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, and Shea Oil. These ingredients are rich in fatty acids and vitamins, providing an occlusive layer that softens the skin and prevents transepidermal water loss. The addition of Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil provides further barrier support and anti-inflammatory properties, making this wash feel much creamier than a standard gel cleanser.

From a sensory perspective, the product is designed to be indulgent. Glycol Distearate is used to give the liquid a pearlescent, opaque appearance, signaling a creamy texture to the consumer. The inclusion of Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride is a nice touch; it is a cationic polymer that conditions the skin, leaving a silky feel after rinsing. However, the high placement of Fragrance/Parfum indicates a potent scent profile. While this enhances the shower experience for many, fragrance is a leading cause of contact dermatitis.

The preservation system includes Phenoxyethanol and Sodium Benzoate, which are standard and generally safe, though Disodium EDTA is added to bind metal ions and improve stability. Overall, this product is an excellent choice for someone who wants that “squeaky clean” feeling without the tightness, provided their skin tolerates sulfates and fragrance well. It successfully buffers strong detergents with high-quality butters, but it may still be too aggressive for those with a compromised skin barrier.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Solvent / 溶剂

🧪 Water/Eau / 水

Purpose: Solvent

Concerns: None

Notes: Base for the formulation.

📁 Surfactants & Cleansing Agents / 表面活性剂和清洁剂

🧪 Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate / C14-16 烯烃磺酸钠

Purpose: Surfactant, cleansing agent

Concerns: Can be drying to the skin.

Notes: A strong surfactant often used as an alternative to sulfates.

🧪 Sodium Laureth Sulfate / 月桂醇聚醚硫酸酯钠

Purpose: Surfactant, foaming agent

Concerns: Potential for irritation; potential contamination with 1,4-dioxane (though usually controlled).

Notes: Common effective cleanser; SLES is milder than SLS.

🧪 Cocamidopropyl Betaine / 椰油酰胺丙基甜菜碱

Purpose: Surfactant, foam booster

Concerns: Potential allergen (impurities).

Notes: Derived from coconut oil; reduces irritation from harsher surfactants.

🧪 Lauramide MIPA / 月桂酰胺 MIPA

Purpose: Surfactant, foam stabilizer, viscosity builder

Concerns: Generally safe in rinse-off products.

Notes: Helps improve foam texture.

📁 Moisturizers & Emollients / 保湿剂和润肤剂

🧪 Glycerin / 甘油

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: Attracts moisture to the skin.

🧪 Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter / 可可籽脂

Purpose: Emollient, skin conditioning

Concerns: None

Notes: Rich natural fat that softens skin.

🧪 Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter / 牛油果树果脂 (乳木果油)

Purpose: Emollient, skin conditioning

Concerns: None

Notes: Excellent moisturizer.

🧪 Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Oil / 牛油果树果油

Purpose: Emollient

Concerns: None

Notes: Liquid fraction of shea butter.

🧪 Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil / 向日葵籽油

Purpose: Emollient

Concerns: None

Notes: Rich in Vitamin E and fatty acids.

🧪 Cetyl Alcohol / 鲸蜡醇

Purpose: Emollient, thickener, emulsion stabilizer

Concerns: None

Notes: A fatty alcohol, non-drying; makes skin feel soft.

🧪 Tocopheryl Acetate / 生育酚乙酸酯

Purpose: Antioxidant, skin conditioning

Concerns: None

Notes: A form of Vitamin E.

📁 Thickeners & Texture Enhancers / 增稠剂和质地改良剂

🧪 Glycol Distearate / 二硬脂酸乙二醇酯

Purpose: Opacifier, pearlizing agent

Concerns: None

Notes: Gives the product a pearlescent appearance.

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

Purpose: Antistatic, conditioning agent

Concerns: None

Notes: Derivative of guar gum; leaves a soft feel on skin.

🧪 Sodium Chloride / 氯化钠

Purpose: Viscosity increasing agent

Concerns: None

Notes: Common table salt; thickens surfactant systems.

🧪 PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate / PEG-150 季戊四醇四硬脂酸酯

Purpose: Thickener, emulsifier

Concerns: PEG compounds can carry contamination concerns if not purified.

Notes: Often used to thicken cleansing products.

🧪 Acrylates Copolymer / 丙烯酸(酯)类共聚物

Purpose: Binder, film former, suspending agent

Concerns: None

Notes: Helps suspend beads or stabilize the formula.

📁 Preservatives & Stabilizers / 防腐剂和稳定剂

🧪 Phenoxyethanol / 苯氧乙醇

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: Can be irritating in high concentrations; generally safe as used.

Notes: Common alternative to parabens.

🧪 Ethylhexylglycerin / 乙基己基甘油

Purpose: Preservative booster, skin conditioning

Concerns: None

Notes: Often paired with phenoxyethanol.

🧪 Disodium EDTA / EDTA 二钠

Purpose: Chelating agent

Concerns: Environmental persistence; can enhance absorption of other ingredients.

Notes: Binds to metal ions to maintain stability.

🧪 Sodium Benzoate / 苯甲酸钠

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: None in this context.

Notes: Effective in acidic pH.

📁 pH Adjusters / pH 调节剂

🧪 Sodium Bicarbonate / 碳酸氢钠

Purpose: pH adjuster, buffering agent

Concerns: None

Notes: Baking soda.

🧪 Sodium Citrate / 柠檬酸钠

Purpose: pH adjuster, buffering agent

Concerns: None

Notes: Maintains product pH.

🧪 Citric Acid / 柠檬酸

Purpose: pH adjuster

Concerns: None

Notes: Used to lower pH.

📁 Solubilizers / 增溶剂

🧪 Polysorbate 20 / 聚山梨醇酯-20

Purpose: Emulsifier, solubilizer

Concerns: Ethoxylated ingredient (contamination risk).

Notes: Helps mix fragrance oil into water.

📁 Fragrance / 香精香料

🧪 Fragrance/Parfum / 香精

Purpose: Scent

Concerns: Common sensitizer; composition is often undisclosed.

Notes: Adds scent.

🧪 Benzyl Benzoate / 苯甲酸苄酯

Purpose: Fragrance ingredient, solvent

Concerns: Potential allergen; restricted in EU.

Notes: Component of fragrance.