Amazon Basics Clarifying Pink Grapefruit Body Wash

A robust acne-fighting body wash that utilizes 2% Salicylic Acid and uplifting Grapefruit Extract to clear breakouts and decongest oily skin.

Performance Rating: 4.4

This formulation is highly effective for treating body acne. The inclusion of Salicylic Acid at 2.0% represents the maximum strength allowed in over-the-counter acne products, ensuring deep pore penetration and exfoliation. The primary surfactant, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, provides a robust foam and deep cleanse to remove oil, while Glycerin and Polyquaternium-7 offer necessary hydration to prevent the skin from feeling overly stripped. The addition of Chamomile and Green Tea extracts adds beneficial soothing and antioxidant properties.

Safety Rating: 3.3

While safe for the majority of users, there are potential triggers for sensitive skin. The formula includes Fragrance and multiple synthetic Dyes (Red 30, Red 40, Ext. Violet 2), which are common irritants. Additionally, Benzalkonium Chloride is used as a preservative/antimicrobial; while effective, it can be sensitizing for some individuals. The surfactant system, though sulfate-free (no SLS), is still relatively strong and could be drying if used on eczema-prone or compromised skin barriers.

Final Rating: 3.9

This is a strong contender for combating body breakouts and “bacne”. The active ingredient load is excellent for results-driven skincare. However, the product prioritizes sensory experience (scent and color) over clinical purity, meaning the inclusion of fragrance and dyes prevents it from achieving a perfect score. It is an ideal choice for oily to normal skin types dealing with congestion but should be used with caution by those with highly sensitive skin.

Verdict

This body wash acts as a potent treatment specifically engineered for those struggling with stubborn body acne, frequently occurring on the back, chest, and shoulders. The formulation relies heavily on its active ingredient, Salicylic Acid at a 2.0% concentration, which is the maximum strength available for over-the-counter acne products. This Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) is essential for acne management as it possesses the unique ability to penetrate oil-filled pores, dissolving sebum and exfoliating dead skin cells from within to prevent congestion. This chemical exfoliation is seemingly complemented by a unique delivery system involving Agar and Polyvinyl Alcohol, which are often used to create encapsulated beads that burst during lathering, adding a layer of mild physical exfoliation. The cleansing base is built upon Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, a strong surfactant that creates a rich, high-foaming lather. This ingredient excels at removing heavy oils, sweat, and environmental debris, making the product particularly effective for post-workout showers or use during humid weather. However, the high efficacy of this cleanser comes with a trade-off regarding gentleness. The primary surfactant can be stripping, potentially disrupting the skin’s moisture barrier if used on areas that are not naturally oily. While Glycerin is included to act as a humectant and mitigate some dryness, the overall profile remains aggressive. A significant aspect of this product is its sensory appeal. The Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, paired with added Fragrance, delivers a bright, invigorating scent that is energizing. However, those with reactive skin should be cautious, as citrus extracts and synthetic fragrances are common allergens that can lead to contact dermatitis. Furthermore, the product heavily prioritizes aesthetics with the inclusion of Mica for a pearlescent finish and multiple artificial dyes like Red 40, Red 30, and Ext. Violet 2. These additives improve the visual experience but offer no skincare benefits and increase the risk of irritation for sensitive users. Ultimately, this is a highly effective, medicinal-grade cleanser designed for utility over luxury. It is a tactical solution for clearing breakouts on durable, oily skin, but it should be followed with a non-comedogenic moisturizer to maintain skin health.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Active Ingredients / 活性成分

🧪 Salicylic acid 2.0% / 水杨酸

Purpose: Acne medication, Exfoliant

Concerns: Can cause skin dryness, peeling, or irritation, especially for sensitive skin.

Notes: A Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) that penetrates oil to unclog pores.

📁 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 or stripping if not balanced well with moisturizers; not a sulfate, but a strong anionic surfactant.

Notes: Creates high foam.

🧪 Cocamidopropyl betaine / 椰油酰胺丙基甜菜碱

Purpose: Surfactant, Foam booster

Concerns: Generally mild, but impurities formed during manufacturing can cause allergic reactions in rare cases.

Notes: Derived from coconut oil; helps reduce irritation from stronger surfactants.

🧪 Cocamidopropyl PG-dimonium chloride phosphate / 椰油酰胺丙基 PG-二甲基氯化铵磷酸酯

Purpose: Surfactant, Skin conditioning agent

Concerns: None significant.

Notes: Provides a soft feel to the skin.

📁 Moisturizers & Humectants / 保湿剂和吸湿剂

🧪 Glycerin / 甘油

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None.

Notes: Draws moisture into the skin.

🧪 Propylene glycol / 丙二醇

Purpose: Humectant, Solvent

Concerns: Can be a skin sensitizer for some people.

Notes: Helps ingredients penetrate the skin.

🧪 Butylene glycol / 丁二醇

Purpose: Humectant, Solvent

Concerns: Very low risk of irritation.

Notes: Improves texture.

🧪 C12-15 alkyl lactate / C12-15 醇乳酸酯

Purpose: Emollient, Texture enhancer

Concerns: None significant.

Notes: Provides a silky feel.

🧪 Neopentyl glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate / 新戊二醇二辛酸酯/二癸酸酯

Purpose: Emollient

Concerns: None significant.

Notes: Makes skin feel smooth.

📁 Botanical Extracts & Antioxidants / 植物提取物和抗氧化剂

🧪 Citrus grandis (grapefruit) fruit extract / 葡萄柚果提取物

Purpose: Fragrance, Skin conditioning

Concerns: Citrus extracts can be sensitizing; potential phototoxicity (less concern in rinse-off products).

Notes: Provides a fresh scent.

🧪 Anthemis nobilis flower extract / 白花春黄菊花提取物

Purpose: Soothing agent

Concerns: None usually, unless allergic to ragweed/daisy family.

Notes: Commonly known as Chamomile.

🧪 Camellia sinensis leaf extract / 茶(绿茶)叶提取物

Purpose: Antioxidant, Soothing

Concerns: None.

Notes: Green tea extract.

🧪 Ascorbyl palmitate / 抗坏血酸棕榈酸酯

Purpose: Antioxidant

Concerns: None.

Notes: A stable form of Vitamin C.

📁 Thickeners & Texture Enhancers / 增稠剂和质地以此剂

🧪 Acrylates copolymer / 丙烯酸(酯)类共聚物

Purpose: Film former, Binder, Suspending agent

Concerns: None significant.

Notes: Often used to suspend beads or particles in the wash.

🧪 Polyquaternium-7 / 聚季铵盐-7

Purpose: Antistatic, Film former

Concerns: None significant.

Notes: Provides a conditioned feel to skin.

🧪 Carrageenan / 皱波角叉菜

Purpose: Thickener, Gel agent

Concerns: None in topical use.

Notes: Derived from seaweed.

🧪 Agar / 琼脂

Purpose: Binder, Viscosity control

Concerns: None.

Notes: Likely used to form the bursting beads in the product.

🧪 Polyvinyl alcohol / 聚乙烯醇

Purpose: Film former, Viscosity agent

Concerns: None.

Notes: Gel-forming agent.

🧪 Polysorbate 20 / 聚山梨醇酯-20

Purpose: Emulsifier, Solubilizer

Concerns: None significant.

Notes: Helps mix oil and water components.

🧪 Sodium chloride / 氯化钠

Purpose: Thickener

Concerns: None.

Notes: Table salt; thickens the surfactant system.

📁 Preservatives & Stabilizers / 防腐剂和稳定剂

🧪 Disodium EDTA / EDTA 二钠

Purpose: Chelating agent

Concerns: None for skin; environmental concerns regarding biodegradability.

Notes: Binds to metal ions to maintain stability.

🧪 Sodium hydroxide / 氢氧化钠

Purpose: pH Adjuster

Concerns: Corrosive in high concentrations, but safe as used here to balance pH.

Notes: Used to ensure the product pH is optimal for Salicylic Acid efficacy.

🧪 Benzalkonium chloride / 苯扎氯铵

Purpose: Antimicrobial preservative

Concerns: Can be a skin irritant or sensitizer for some individuals.

Notes: Prevents bacterial growth.

🧪 Sodium benzotriazolyl butylphenol sulfonate / 苯并三唑基丁苯酚磺酸钠

Purpose: Light stabilizer

Concerns: None significant.

Notes: Protects the product’s color and fragrance from UV degradation.

📁 Fragrance & Colorants / 香精和着色剂

🧪 Fragrance / 香精

Purpose: Scent

Concerns: Common cause of contact dermatitis and skin irritation.

Notes: Synthetic or natural scent mixture.

🧪 Mica / 云母

Purpose: Colorant, Opacifier

Concerns: None.

Notes: Adds shimmer.

🧪 Titanium dioxide / 二氧化钛

Purpose: Colorant, Opacifier

Concerns: None in wash-off products.

Notes: White pigment.

🧪 Iron oxides / 氧化铁类

Purpose: Colorant

Concerns: None.

Notes: Pigment.

🧪 Red 30 / CI 73360 (红 30)

Purpose: Colorant

Concerns: None.

Notes: Synthetic dye.

🧪 Red 40 / CI 16035 (红 40)

Purpose: Colorant

Concerns: None.

Notes: Synthetic dye.

🧪 Ext. Violet 2 / CI 60730 (外用紫 2)

Purpose: Colorant

Concerns: None.

Notes: Synthetic dye.

📁 Solvents / 溶剂

🧪 Water / 水

Purpose: Solvent

Concerns: None.

Notes: The base of the product.