Equate Foaming Facial Cleanser Refreshing

A foaming facial cleanser that utilizes Ammonium Laureth Sulfate for deep cleansing, buffered by mild glucosides and glycerin to maintain moisture balance.

Performance Rating: 3.8

This formulation utilizes Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, a strong anionic surfactant, which is balanced by milder co-surfactants like Cocamidopropyl Betaine and Decyl Glucoside. This blend ensures excellent foaming and deep cleansing capabilities, effectively removing oil and debris. The inclusion of Glycerin helps to mitigate dryness, though the strong surfactant base implies it is highly effective for oily skin but potentially stripping for dry types.

Safety Rating: 3.4

The primary safety concern for sensitive skin is the inclusion of Fragrance, a common allergen and irritant. Additionally, while Ammonium Laureth Sulfate is safe for use, it is a sulfate that can be drying and potentially irritating to the skin barrier compared to modern amino-acid based alternatives. The product uses standard preservatives like Phenoxyethanol and Chlorphenesin, which are generally safe but can trigger reactions in hypersensitive individuals.

Final Rating: 3.6

This is a standard, commercial-grade cleanser that excels at removing dirt and oil due to its robust surfactant system. However, it feels slightly dated due to the reliance on sulfates and the addition of fragrance. It is a solid choice for those with oily, resilient skin, but it lacks the gentle, soothing profile required for sensitive or dry skin types.

Verdict

This facial cleanser presents a robust formula designed to deliver a deep clean, primarily relying on Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES) as its main cleansing agent. While sulfates often get a bad reputation for being stripping, ALES is generally considered larger in molecular size than its sodium counterparts, making it slightly less penetrating yet still highly effective at breaking down surface oils and grime. To ensure the cleansing experience doesn’t leave the skin feeling tight or parched, the formulation includes a thoughtful supporting cast of secondary surfactants. The inclusion of Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauryl Glucoside, and Decyl Glucoside is a significant positive; these ingredients are well-known for their mildness and ability to mitigate the potential irritation caused by stronger anionic surfactants. The presence of Glycerin high up in the ingredient list is excellent for counteracting dryness, as it draws moisture into the skin during the washing process. The product likely has a luxurious, pearlescent appearance due to Glycol Distearate, which adds a sensory appeal to the routine without necessarily adding skincare benefits. The texture is further stabilized by Acrylates Copolymer and PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, ensuring a consistent gel-like viscosity that creates a satisfying lather. However, potential users should be aware of the inclusion of Fragrance. While it enhances the sensory experience, fragrance is a common trigger for contact dermatitis and may cause redness or irritation for those with reactive skin barriers. The preservation system, utilizing Phenoxyethanol and Chlorphenesin, is standard and effective, though the chemical nature of the formula leans more towards a conventional drug-store cleanser rather than a clean beauty profile. Ultimately, this is a strong standard cleanser suitable for those who need to cut through daily oil buildup or makeup residue. It balances power with buffering agents effectively, but the reliance on sulfates and added perfume makes it less ideal for compromised skin barriers. It is a functional choice for oily to combination skin types looking for a wash that leaves the face feeling thoroughly clean and refreshed.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Solvents / 溶剂

🧪 WATER / 水

Purpose: Base solvent

Concerns: None

Notes: Dissolves other ingredients and acts as the delivery vehicle.

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

🧪 AMMONIUM LAURETH SULFATE / 月桂醇聚醚硫酸酯铵

Purpose: Primary cleansing agent, foaming

Concerns: Can be drying or irritating to sensitive skin, though generally milder than Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.

Notes: Anionic surfactant responsible for the main cleaning action.

🧪 COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE / 椰油酰胺丙基甜菜碱

Purpose: Secondary surfactant, foam booster

Concerns: Low risk of irritation, potential allergen for some.

Notes: Amphoteric surfactant often used to mitigate the harshness of stronger sulfates.

🧪 LAURYL GLUCOSIDE / 月桂基葡糖苷

Purpose: Gentle cleanser

Concerns: None

Notes: Mild non-ionic surfactant derived from sugar and lipids.

🧪 SODIUM LAUROYL SARCOSINATE / 月桂酰肌氨酸钠

Purpose: Cleansing and foaming

Concerns: None

Notes: Amino acid-based surfactant, generally gentle on the skin.

🧪 DECYL GLUCOSIDE / 癸基葡糖苷

Purpose: Gentle cleanser

Concerns: None

Notes: Plant-derived, non-ionic surfactant suitable for sensitive skin.

📁 Moisturizers & Humectants / 保湿剂和吸湿剂

🧪 GLYCERIN / 甘油

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None

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

📁 Texture Enhancers & Thickeners / 质地调节剂和增稠剂

🧪 ACRYLATES COPOLYMER / 丙烯酸(酯)类共聚物

Purpose: Film former, stabilizer, thickener

Concerns: Low risk

Notes: Helps maintain the texture of the product and suspend particles.

🧪 GLYCOL DISTEARATE / 二硬脂酸乙二醇酯

Purpose: Opacifier, pearlescent agent

Concerns: Comedogenic rating is low but exists

Notes: Gives the cleanser a pearlescent or creamy appearance.

🧪 LAURETH-4 / 月桂醇聚醚-4

Purpose: Emulsifier, surfactant

Concerns: Can be comedogenic in high concentrations

Notes: Helps mix oil and water.

🧪 PEG-120 METHYL GLUCOSE DIOLEATE / PEG-120 甲基葡糖二油酸酯

Purpose: Thickener

Concerns: PEG compounds can contain impurities, generally safe in cosmetics

Notes: Highly effective thickener, reduces irritation of whole formula.

🧪 COCAMIDE MEA / 椰油酰胺 MEA

Purpose: Foam booster, thickener

Concerns: Potential for irritation in leave-on products, safe in rinse-offs

Notes: Increases the viscosity and stabilizes the foam.

📁 Preservatives & Stabilizers / 防腐剂和稳定剂

🧪 PHENOXYETHANOL / 苯氧乙醇

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: Can cause irritation in high concentrations

Notes: Standard cosmetic preservative.

🧪 CHLORPHENESIN / 氯苯甘醚

Purpose: Preservative, biocide

Concerns: Potential skin irritant for sensitive individuals

Notes: Prevents bacterial growth.

🧪 DISODIUM EDTA / EDTA 二钠

Purpose: Chelating agent

Concerns: None regarding skin toxicity, environmental concerns exist

Notes: Binds metal ions to maintain stability and efficacy of the formula.

📁 pH Adjusters / pH调节剂

🧪 SODIUM HYDROXIDE / 氢氧化钠

Purpose: pH adjuster (Base)

Concerns: Corrosive in pure form, safe at formulated levels

Notes: Used to neutralize acids and reach the target pH.

🧪 CITRIC ACID / 柠檬酸

Purpose: pH adjuster (Acid)

Concerns: Can sting if pH is too low (not likely here)

Notes: Used to lower the pH to be skin-compatible.

📁 Fragrance / 香精

🧪 FRAGRANCE / 香精

Purpose: Scent

Concerns: Common sensitizer, potential allergen

Notes: Adds a pleasant smell to the product.