Equate Active Refresh Men’s Body Wash

A menthol-infused deep cleanser featuring strong surfactants and a creamy texture, but preserved with potentially irritating isothiazolinones.

Performance Rating: 4.2

This formulation offers strong cleansing and foaming capabilities due to the classic combination of Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine. Unlike basic body washes, this product includes significant skin-conditioning agents such as Glycerine, Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate, Stearic Acid, and Lauric Acid, which help to moisturize and replenish the skin barrier during washing. The addition of Menthol provides a distinct cooling and refreshing sensory experience.

Safety Rating: 2.8

The safety profile is moderate. The primary concern is the preservation system using Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone, which are potent allergens and common causes of contact dermatitis, making this unsuitable for sensitive skin. Furthermore, the product contains synthetic fragrance and specific fragrance allergens (Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool) alongside multiple artificial dyes (Blue 1, Red 33, Yellow 5), increasing the risk of irritation.

Final Rating: 3.5

This is a highly functional mass-market body wash that excels in performance by balancing deep cleansing with moisturizing fatty acids and a refreshing cooling effect. However, the ingredient list relies on older, potentially irritating preservative technologies and synthetic additives, limiting its appeal to those with robust, non-sensitive skin.

Verdict

This body wash is a classic example of a “refreshing” commercial cleanser, built on a foundation of Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine. This surfactant system is highly effective at emulsifying dirt and oils, ensuring a deep clean that produces a satisfyingly rich lather. The formula attempts to mitigate the stripping nature of sulfates by incorporating Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate, a milder cleansing agent, alongside fatty acids like Stearic Acid and Lauric Acid. These fatty components, combined with Glycerine, suggest a formula that aims for a creamy, opaque texture rather than a clear gel, providing a temporary feeling of softness while washing. The inclusion of Acrylates Copolymer acts as a stabilizer to maintain this consistency and suspend the various ingredients effectively. A defining characteristic of this product is the inclusion of Menthol. This ingredient triggers cold-sensitive receptors in the skin, providing an immediate cooling effect. This makes the product particularly appealing for post-workout showers or morning routines where an invigorating wake-up call is desired. However, the profile of this body wash is not without significant drawbacks for skin health. The scent profile is complex, relying on Fragrance and specific volatile compounds like Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, and Linalool. While these provide a pleasant citrus or floral aroma, they are also volatile allergens that can cause issues for reactive skin types. Most concerning is the preservation system. The product utilizes Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone. These are potent antimicrobial agents, but they are notorious within the dermatology community for having high rates of sensitization; they are essentially the “Itchy Ms” of the skincare world. Their presence, combined with the high fragrance load and synthetic dyes (Blue 1, Red 33, Yellow 5), makes this product a poor choice for anyone with a compromised skin barrier. It is strictly a functional, sensory-driven product for those with resilient, oily, or sweaty skin who enjoy a “squeaky clean” finish and a cooling sensation.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Solvents / 溶剂

🧪 Water / 水

Purpose: Solvent

Concerns: None

Notes: The base of the formulation, dissolving other ingredients.

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

🧪 Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) / 月桂醇聚醚硫酸酯钠

Purpose: Primary Surfactant / Foaming Agent

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

Notes: A very common, effective cleanser and foaming agent. Milder than Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).

🧪 Cocamidopropyl Betaine / 椰油酰胺丙基甜菜碱

Purpose: Co-surfactant / Foam Booster

Concerns: Potential allergen (impurities related).

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

🧪 Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate / 月桂酰羟乙磺酸钠

Purpose: Mild Surfactant

Concerns: None significantly.

Notes: A very mild cleansing agent often used in moisturizing body washes and beauty bars.

📁 Moisturizers & Emollients / 保湿剂和润肤剂

🧪 Glycerine / 甘油

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: Attracts moisture to the skin to prevent dryness.

🧪 Stearic Acid / 硬脂酸

Purpose: Emollient / Thickener

Concerns: None

Notes: A fatty acid that helps rebuild the skin barrier and thicken the product.

🧪 Lauric Acid / 月桂酸

Purpose: Emollient / Cleansing

Concerns: Potential to be comedogenic (clog pores) if used on face.

Notes: A fatty acid found in coconut oil; adds creaminess.

🧪 PPG-9 / PPG-9

Purpose: Emollient / Solvent

Concerns: None significantly.

Notes: A polypropylene glycol used to condition skin and control viscosity.

📁 Texture & Viscosity Controllers / 质地和粘度控制剂

🧪 Sodium Chloride / 氯化钠

Purpose: Thickener

Concerns: Can be drying in very high concentrations.

Notes: Common table salt, used to thicken the surfactant system.

🧪 Acrylates Copolymer / 丙烯酸(酯)类共聚物

Purpose: Stabilizer / Thickener

Concerns: Microplastic concerns in some contexts.

Notes: Helps suspend particles (like beads or bubbles) and stabilize the formula.

📁 Preservatives & Stabilizers / 防腐剂和稳定剂

🧪 Methylchloroisothiazolinone / 甲基氯异噻唑啉酮

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: High sensitization and allergy potential; known as part of ‘Itchy Ms’.

Notes: Effective against bacteria and fungi but often restricted in leave-on products.

🧪 Methylisothiazolinone / 甲基异噻唑啉酮

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: High sensitization and allergy potential.

Notes: Often used in combination with Methylchloroisothiazolinone.

🧪 Tetrasodium EDTA / EDTA 四钠

Purpose: Chelating Agent

Concerns: Environmental accumulation.

Notes: Binds to metal ions in water to prevent them from degrading the product’s performance and stability.

📁 pH Adjusters / pH调节剂

🧪 Sodium Hydroxide / 氢氧化钠

Purpose: pH Adjuster

Concerns: Corrosive in pure form, but safe in formulated products.

Notes: Used to neutralize fatty acids or adjust the pH of the final product.

📁 Fragrance & Sensory Agents / 香精和感官调节剂

🧪 Fragrance / 香精

Purpose: Scent

Concerns: Common cause of contact dermatitis; specific ingredients often undisclosed.

Notes: Provides the overall smell of the product.

🧪 Menthol / 薄荷醇

Purpose: Cooling Agent

Concerns: Can irritate sensitive skin or mucous membranes.

Notes: Provides a cooling, tingling sensation.

🧪 Hexyl Cinnamal / 己基肉桂醛

Purpose: Fragrance Component

Concerns: Potential allergen.

Notes: Adds a jasmine-like scent.

🧪 Limonene / 柠檬烯

Purpose: Fragrance Component

Concerns: Potential allergen (especially when oxidized).

Notes: Adds a citrus scent.

🧪 Linalool / 芳樟醇

Purpose: Fragrance Component

Concerns: Potential allergen (especially when oxidized).

Notes: Adds a floral, lavender-like scent.

📁 Colorants / 着色剂

🧪 Blue 1 / CI 42090 / 亮蓝

Purpose: Synthetic Dye

Concerns: Low concern generally; rare sensitivity.

Notes: Provides blue color.

🧪 Red 33 / CI 17200 / 红 33

Purpose: Synthetic Dye

Concerns: None significantly.

Notes: Provides red color.

🧪 Yellow 5 / CI 19140 / 黄 5

Purpose: Synthetic Dye

Concerns: Known to cause reactions in those with aspirin or tartrazine hypersensitivity.

Notes: Provides yellow color.