Therapy Clean Dish Soap

A biodegradable, plant-derived dish soap that combines powerful grease-cutting action with milder secondary cleansers and skin-softening glycerin.

Performance Rating: 8.7

The performance rating of 8.7/10 is justified by a robust surfactant system. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) provides powerful grease-cutting action and excellent foaming, while Caprylyl/Myristyl Glucoside and Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine act as co-surfactants to stabilize lather and boost cleaning efficiency. Sodium Chloride ensures a desirable thick viscosity, and Citric Acid balances the pH for optimal performance.

Safety Rating: 8.1

The safety rating of 8.1/10 reflects a formula that is mostly gentle but contains known irritants. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) can be drying and irritating to sensitive skin, though its effects are moderated by the inclusion of soothing Glycerin and milder co-surfactants. While Sodium Benzoate is a safe preservative, the presence of Natural Fragrance can still trigger allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Final Rating: 8.4

With a final rating of 8.4/10, this dish soap strikes an impressive balance between high-powered cleaning performance and a more responsible ingredient profile. By combining strong degreasers with plant-derived co-surfactants and biodegradable elements, it delivers exceptional dishwashing capability while remaining safer for both user health and the environment than conventional alternatives.

Verdict

This dish soap formulation strikes an impressive, thoughtful balance between high-performance grease removal and eco-conscious ingredient sourcing. At its core, the formula utilizes Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) as its primary surfactant. While SLS occasionally gets a negative reputation in personal care circles, it remains one of the most powerful, biodegradable agents available for rapidly cutting through heavy grease, baked-on oils, and stubborn food residues on pots and pans. To mitigate the potentially drying nature of SLS, the formulation wisely incorporates Caprylyl/Myristyl Glucoside and Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine. These ultra-mild, plant-derived co-surfactants work synergistically to boost lather, stabilize the luxurious foam, and significantly soften the overall harshness of the wash on your hands. Furthermore, the addition of Glycerin acts as a crucial skin-conditioning humectant, drawing moisture into the skin barrier to prevent the uncomfortable, dry, and tight feeling often experienced after a long session of hand-washing dishes. The formula’s physical properties are stabilized naturally, utilizing Sodium Chloride (common table salt) as a natural thickening agent and Citric Acid to carefully balance the pH to a skin-friendly level. This ensures that the liquid soap maintains a pleasant, gel-like consistency and remains gentle on the skin without relying on harsh synthetic texturizers or toxic pH stabilizers. For preservation, the product utilizes Sodium Benzoate, an incredibly safe, food-grade preservative that successfully prevents the growth of mold, yeast, and bacteria in water-based formulas without relying on controversial parabens, methylisothiazolinone (MIT), or formaldehyde-releasers. The inclusion of Natural Fragrance offers a pleasant, refreshing sensory experience during clean-up, though users should note that even natural botanical scents can contain potential allergens that might trigger contact sensitivities in highly reactive individuals. In summary, this is an excellent, plant-powered dish soap that delivers a rich, satisfying lather and robust cleaning capability that rivals conventional chemical-heavy brands. It avoids the harsh synthetic dyes, sulfates, and toxic preservatives commonly found in mainstream supermarket options. However, because it still contains SLS and fragrance, those with active eczema, extremely dry skin, or severe fragrance allergies may still want to wear dishwashing gloves or opt for a completely fragrance-free, sulfate-free alternative. For the vast majority of households looking for a cleaner way to clean, it represents a highly effective, greener, and skin-friendly alternative to standard commercial dish soaps.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Solvents and Bases / 溶剂与基础成分

🧪 Filtered Water / 过滤水

Purpose: Solvent and carrier for other ingredients.

Concerns: None.

Notes: Forms the liquid base of the dish soap.

📁 Surfactants and Cleansing Agents / 表面活性剂与清洁剂

🧪 Sodium Lauryl Sulfate / 月桂醇硫酸钠

Purpose: Primary surfactant used for cleaning and creating foam.

Concerns: Can cause skin irritation or dryness in sensitive individuals.

Notes: Highly effective at cutting grease, though relatively harsh compared to milder alternatives.

🧪 Caprylyl/Myristyl Glucoside / 辛基/肉豆蔻基铺糖苷

Purpose: Mild non-ionic surfactant used for cleansing.

Concerns: Very low risk, highly biocompatible.

Notes: A plant-derived, biodegradable surfactant that helps reduce skin irritation.

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

Purpose: Amphoteric surfactant, foam booster, and viscosity builder.

Concerns: Minimal concerns, though rare allergic reactions can occur due to manufacturing impurities.

Notes: Helps to enhance lather quality and mildness of the overall formula.

📁 Texture and Skin Conditioners / 质感与皮肤调理剂

🧪 Glycerin / 甘油

Purpose: Humectant and skin-conditioning agent.

Concerns: None under typical usage conditions.

Notes: Helps retain moisture on the hands to prevent dryness during washing.

🧪 Sodium Chloride / 氯化钠

Purpose: Viscosity increasing agent (thickener).

Concerns: None.

Notes: Commonly known as table salt, it interacts with anionic surfactants to thicken the product.

📁 Preservatives and pH Adjusters / 防腐剂与pH调节剂

🧪 Sodium Benzoate / 苯甲酸钠

Purpose: Preservative to prevent microbial growth.

Concerns: Generally safe in rinse-off products. In rare acidic conditions, it can react with ascorbic acid to form trace benzene.

Notes: Commonly used food-grade preservative.

🧪 Citric Acid / 柠檬酸

Purpose: pH adjuster.

Concerns: Can cause mild irritation in high concentrations, but safe at neutralized levels.

Notes: Used to lower the pH of the soap to be closer to skin’s natural pH.

📁 Fragrances / 香精与赋香剂

🧪 Natural Fragrance / 天然香精

Purpose: Provides scent to mask base odors and enhance user experience.

Concerns: May contain natural allergens (e.g., limonene, linalool) that could trigger skin sensitivity.

Notes: Derived from natural sources, but proprietary formulation details are typically undisclosed.