Clinique All About Clean Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser

A rich, soap-based foaming cleanser designed to deeply degrease the skin, featuring humectants to buffer its naturally alkaline pH.

Performance Rating: 3.8

This formula utilizes a classic soap-based system (combining Potassium Myristate, Behenate, Palmitate, Laurate, and Stearate). This creates a very rich, dense, and luxurious lather that effectively removes oil and debris, often leaving a “squeaky clean” sensation. The addition of Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, a mild amino-acid surfactant, helps balance the harshness slightly. Humectants like Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate, along with the emollient Cholesteryl Hydroxystearate, provide necessary hydration to counteract the stripping nature of the soaps. However, it may be too drying for dry skin types due to the strong degreasing power.

Safety Rating: 3.8

The primary safety concern is the high pH (alkalinity) inherent in soap-based cleansers, which can disrupt the skin’s natural acid mantle and compromise the moisture barrier over time, potentially leading to irritation or dryness. Potassium Laurate specifically is known to be potentially irritating to sensitive skin. On the positive side, the formula appears to be fragrance-free (reducing allergen risk), though it does contain artificial colorants (Ext. Violet 2 and Red 4) which are unnecessary and can be mild sensitizers for some. The preservative system relies on Phenoxyethanol, which is standard and generally safe.

Final Rating: 3.8

This is a high-end style foaming cleanser that prioritizes sensory experience (texture and foam density) over modern barrier-preservation techniques. While it cleanses exceptionally well and contains beneficial lipids and humectants, the alkaline nature of the soap base makes it less than ideal for sensitive or dry skin. It is best suited for oily or resilient skin types that prefer a deep-clean feeling.

Verdict

This product represents a traditional approach to facial cleansing, characterized by its reliance on a soap-based system. The primary cleansing agents listed—Potassium Myristate, Potassium Behenate, Potassium Palmitate, Potassium Laurate, and Potassium Stearate—are created by saponifying fatty acids. This chemistry results in a product that generates an incredibly dense, luxurious, and stable foam, which is often aesthetically pleasing and provides a frictionless massage on the skin. It is highly effective at emulsifying sebum and removing heavy surface debris.

However, the structural reliance on soap means this cleanser almost certainly possesses a high pH (alkaline), typically ranging between 9 and 10. The skin’s natural barrier is acidic (around pH 5.5), and frequent use of alkaline products can disrupt the acid mantle, leading to swelling of the stratum corneum, moisture loss, and an increase in bacteria proliferation. The sensation provided by this product will likely be ’squeaky clean,’ which, while satisfying to some, actually indicates that the skin has been stripped of its essential protective lipids.

To counterbalance the potential harshness, the formulation includes Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate. These are potent humectants intended to attract and hold moisture, aiming to reduce the post-wash tightness often associated with soaps. Additionally, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate is included as a co-surfactant; this is a mild, amino-acid-based ingredient that improves the mildness of the lather. The inclusion of Cholesteryl Hydroxystearate further attempts to condition the skin and restore some emollience.

Notably, the formula appears to be fragrance-free, which eliminates a common allergen, though it does contain synthetic dyes (Violet 2 and Red 4) for visual appeal. While the addition of moisturizing agents helps, they are likely washed away along with the surfactants. Consequently, this product is a heavy-duty cleanser. It is a viable option for those with resilient, very oily skin who require strong degreasing, but it poses a significant risk of dehydration for anyone with dry, sensitive, or barrier-compromised skin.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Solvents / 溶剂

🧪 Water/ 水

Purpose: Solvent

Concerns: None

Notes: The base of the formulation.

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

🧪 Potassium Myristate / 肉豆蔻酸钾

Purpose: Cleansing Agent, Emulsifier

Concerns: High pH (Alkaline)

Notes: A soap-based component formed by neutralizing Myristic Acid. Provides dense foam but can be drying.

🧪 Potassium Behenate / 山嵛酸钾

Purpose: Cleansing Agent, Emulsifier

Concerns: High pH (Alkaline)

Notes: A soap-based component. Helps stabilize foam.

🧪 Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate / 甲基椰油酰基牛磺酸钠

Purpose: Surfactant

Concerns: None

Notes: A mild amino acid-based surfactant. Helps reduce the harshness of soap-based ingredients.

🧪 Potassium Palmitate / 棕榈酸钾

Purpose: Cleansing Agent, Emulsifier

Concerns: High pH (Alkaline)

Notes: A soap-based component formed from Palmitic Acid.

🧪 Potassium Laurate / 月桂酸钾

Purpose: Cleansing Agent, Emulsifier

Concerns: High pH (Alkaline), Potential Irritation

Notes: A soap-based component formed from Lauric Acid. Excellent foaming but can be stripping to the skin barrier.

🧪 Potassium Stearate / 硬脂酸钾

Purpose: Cleansing Agent, Emulsifier

Concerns: High pH (Alkaline)

Notes: Listed as ‘Potassium Sterate’ in input. A classic soap component that provides a creamy texture.

📁 Moisturizers & Emollients / 保湿剂与润肤剂

🧪 Glycerin / 甘油

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: Attracts moisture to the skin to prevent dryness after washing.

🧪 Cholesteryl Hydroxystearate / 胆甾醇羟基硬脂酸酯

Purpose: Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Concerns: None

Notes: Helps maintain the skin’s barrier properties.

🧪 Butylene Glycol / 丁二醇

Purpose: Humectant, Solvent

Concerns: Very low risk of irritation

Notes: Helps dissolve other ingredients and provides hydration.

🧪 Sodium Hyaluronate / 透明质酸钠

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: The salt form of Hyaluronic Acid; holds significant amounts of water.

📁 Texture Enhancers / 质地调节剂

🧪 Peg-3 Distearate / PEG-3 二硬脂酸酯

Purpose: Emulsifier, Opacifier

Concerns: PEG contamination (minimal risk in reputable brands)

Notes: Often used to give the product a pearlescent appearance.

📁 Preservatives & Stabilizers / 防腐剂与稳定剂

🧪 Trisodium Edta / EDTA 三钠

Purpose: Chelating Agent

Concerns: None

Notes: Binds metal ions to prevent spoilage and maintain foam stability.

🧪 Disodium Edta / EDTA 二钠

Purpose: Chelating Agent

Concerns: None

Notes: Works with Trisodium Edta to stabilize the formula.

🧪 Phenoxyethanol / 苯氧乙醇

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: Potential irritant for very sensitive skin

Notes: A common broad-spectrum preservative.

📁 Colorants / 着色剂

🧪 Ext. Violet 2 (Ci 60730) / 外部紫 2

Purpose: Colorant

Concerns: Potential sensitivity

Notes: Synthetic purple dye.

🧪 Red 4 (Ci 14700) / 红 4

Purpose: Colorant

Concerns: Potential sensitivity

Notes: Synthetic red dye.