Ivory Body Wash Fragrance Free

A minimalist, fragrance-free body wash formulated with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate for a deep, clarifying cleanse.

Performance Rating: 3.4

This is a utilitarian and minimalist formulation focused primarily on deep cleansing. The combination of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Cocamidopropyl Betaine creates a robust lather and effective cleaning power. However, the formula notably lacks moisturizers (such as glycerin), emollients, or conditioning agents, which means it may leave the skin feeling “squeaky clean” but potentially tight or dry. The addition of Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose ensures a pleasant viscosity and texture during use.

Safety Rating: 3.9

The product scores well for being apparently fragrance-free and avoiding harsh preservatives like methylisothiazolinone or parabens, utilizing food-grade preservatives (Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Salicylate) instead. However, the primary surfactant is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, which is known to be a skin irritant that can strip the skin barrier, making this product potentially too harsh for those with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema.

Final Rating: 3.6

This is a solid, no-nonsense body wash best suited for individuals with oily or normal skin who prioritize a deep clean and foam over moisturizing benefits. Its simple ingredient list minimizes the risk of allergic reactions (due to lack of fragrance), but the reliance on SLS without counter-balancing humectants prevents it from achieving a higher rating as a premium or skin-nourishing product.

Verdict

This body wash represents a minimalist approach to personal hygiene, stripping away the bells and whistles often found in modern skincare to focus entirely on the function of cleansing. At the heart of this formula is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), a highly effective surfactant known for its ability to create a rich lather and cut through grease and grime with ease. While SLS is sometimes criticized for being too harsh, it remains one of the most efficient cleansers available for removing heavy residue. To balance the cleansing power of SLS, the formulation includes Cocamidopropyl Betaine. This secondary surfactant helps to boost foam while offering a milder touch, attempting to mitigate the potential drying effects of the primary detergent. The structure and texture of the gel are maintained by Sodium Chloride and Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, ensuring the product has the right viscosity to stay on a washcloth or sponge without running off immediately. One of the most defining characteristics of this ingredient list is what is missing. There is a notable absence of added fragrance, masking scents, or dyes. This makes the product a potential candidate for those who suffer from fragrance sensitivities or who simply prefer their body care products to be neutral. However, the lack of moisturizing agents like glycerin, oils, or ceramides means this wash does not deposit hydration back into the skin. The preservation system relies on Sodium Benzoate and Sodium Salicylate, ensuring the product remains free from bacterial growth, while Disodium EDTA acts as a chelating agent to prevent hard water minerals from interfering with the cleansing process. Ultimately, this is a utilitarian product. It is designed for those who need a thorough, deep clean and have the skin type to tolerate strong surfactants. If you have a compromised skin barrier or suffer from conditions like eczema, the high concentration of SLS might prove irritating. However, for oily skin types or efficient grime removal, this straightforward formula delivers exactly what it promises without unnecessary complexity.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Solvent / 溶剂

🧪 Water / 水

Purpose: Dissolves other ingredients; forms the base of the product.

Concerns: None.

Notes: The primary ingredient in most liquid body washes.

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

🧪 Sodium Lauryl Sulfate / 十二烷基硫酸钠

Purpose: Strong cleansing agent and foaming agent.

Concerns: Can be drying or irritating to sensitive skin; strips natural oils.

Notes: A very common, effective, and inexpensive anionic surfactant.

🧪 Cocamidopropyl Betaine / 椰油酰胺丙基甜菜碱

Purpose: Secondary surfactant; boosts foam and thickens texture.

Concerns: Generally mild, though impurities from manufacturing can sometimes cause allergic reactions.

Notes: Often used to reduce the harshness of primary sulfates.

📁 Viscosity Modifiers (Thickeners) / 粘度调节剂(增稠剂)

🧪 Sodium Chloride / 氯化钠

Purpose: Thickens the consistency of the body wash.

Concerns: Can be drying in extremely high concentrations, but usually safe in wash-off products.

Notes: Common table salt; highly effective at thickening sulfate-based systems.

🧪 Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose / 羟丙基甲基纤维素

Purpose: Thickener and rheology modifier; provides a smooth texture.

Concerns: None generally.

Notes: A polymer derived from cellulose.

📁 Preservatives & Stabilizers / 防腐剂和稳定剂

🧪 Sodium Benzoate / 苯甲酸钠

Purpose: Prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi.

Concerns: Safe in directed concentrations; can convert to benzene if combined with Vitamin C under heat/light (rare in body wash).

Notes: A food-grade preservative.

🧪 Sodium Salicylate / 水杨酸钠

Purpose: Preservative; helps prevent product spoilage.

Concerns: Those with salicylate allergies should avoid it.

Notes: The salt form of salicylic acid.

🧪 Disodium EDTA / 乙二胺四乙酸二钠

Purpose: Chelating agent; binds metal ions to improve foam and preservative stability.

Concerns: Environmental concerns regarding biodegradability.

Notes: Helps the product perform well in hard water.

📁 pH Adjusters & Buffers / pH调节剂和缓冲剂

🧪 Citric Acid / 柠檬酸

Purpose: Adjusts the pH of the product to be skin-friendly.

Concerns: Can cause irritation if the concentration is too high, but standard in body washes.

Notes: Derived from citrus fruits.

🧪 Sodium Citrate / 柠檬酸钠

Purpose: Acts as a pH buffer to maintain product stability.

Concerns: None generally.

Notes: Also has some chelating properties.