Amazon Basics Morning Fresh Facial Cleanser with Ginseng and Vitamin C

An invigorating gel cleanser featuring bursting beads and cooling Menthol, designed to deeply cleanse oily skin while delivering a dose of Vitamin C and Ginseng.

Performance Rating: 3.7

This formula functions as an effective, high-foaming cleanser designed for deep cleaning and an ‘energizing’ sensory experience. Sodium Laureth Sulfate serves as the primary surfactant, providing excellent grease removal and lather, balanced slightly by Cocamidopropyl Betaine. The inclusion of Mannitol and Cellulose with pigments suggests the presence of dissolvable beads for mild physical exfoliation. The addition of Menthol and Menthyl Lactate creates a cooling, tingling sensation often associated with freshness. While it contains beneficial actives like Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Ginseng, and Cucumber Extract, their efficacy is limited in a wash-off product.

Safety Rating: 2.4

The safety profile is moderate due to the presence of several potential irritants. While safe for robust skin, the combination of Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Fragrance, and cooling agents like Menthol can be stripping and irritating to sensitive skin or the eyes. Most notably, the preservation system relies on Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone (often called the ‘Itchy Ms’), which are potent allergens and known sensitizers, even in rinse-off products. Users with dermatitis or a compromised skin barrier should approach with caution.

Final Rating: 3.0

This is a standard ‘morning energy’ style cleanser best suited for oily or resilient skin types looking for a deep clean and a refreshing wake-up sensation. It removes oil effectively and offers tactile exfoliation. However, it loses points significantly on the suitability scale; it is likely too harsh for dry or sensitive skin due to the aggressive surfactant system, cooling irritants, and allergenic preservatives.

Verdict

This cleanser acts as a classic “morning wake-up call” for the skin, prioritizing sensory experience and deep cleaning power over gentle barrier maintenance. The structural backbone of the formula relies on Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and Cocamidopropyl Betaine. This combination ensures a rich, voluminous lather that effectively cuts through sebum and daily grime. For individuals with oily skin who prefer that traditional “squeaky clean” feeling, this surfactant system performs efficiently.

The product’s marketing appeal lies heavily in its energizing ingredients. The inclusion of Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Ginger Root Extract, and Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract paints a picture of vitality. This theme is physically manifested through Menthol and Menthyl Lactate, which provide an immediate, tingling cooling sensation upon application. Additionally, the formula likely contains suspended visual beads (indicated by Mannitol, Cellulose, and Iron Oxides) that burst to release vitamins like Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) and Retinyl Palmitate. While these elements make washing your face feel like an event, the actual skincare benefits of wash-off vitamins are often negligible compared to leave-on serums.

However, there are significant drawbacks regarding skin safety and sensitivity. Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a strong detergent that can be drying, potentially stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier if used too frequently. While Glycerin is present to mitigate this, the formulation is aggressive. Of greater concern is the preservative system: Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone (often referred to as the “itchy Ms”). These are potent allergens known to cause contact dermatitis in sensitized individuals.

Combined with high amounts of Fragrance and the sensitizing nature of Menthol, this cocktail poses a high risk of irritation. It is not suitable for a modern, barrier-first skincare routine but remains a popular choice for those with resilient skin seeking a high-sensory, refreshing cleanse.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Base Ingredients / 基础成分

🧪 Water / 水

Purpose: Solvent

Concerns: None

Notes: The primary component of the cleanser, acting as a carrier for other ingredients.

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

🧪 Sodium Laureth Sulfate / 月桂醇聚醚硫酸酯钠

Purpose: Surfactant/Cleansing Agent

Concerns: Can be drying or irritating to sensitive skin; potential for contamination with 1,4-dioxane if not purified properly.

Notes: A common foaming agent derived from coconut or palm kernel oil, generally milder than Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).

🧪 Cocamidopropyl Betaine / 椰油酰胺丙基甜菜碱

Purpose: Surfactant/Foam Booster

Concerns: Potential allergen due to impurities formed during manufacturing.

Notes: A mild amphoteric surfactant that helps reduce irritation from harsher surfactants.

📁 Moisturizers & Humectants / 保湿剂与吸湿剂

🧪 Glycerin / 甘油

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None

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

🧪 Mannitol / 甘露糖醇

Purpose: Humectant/Binding Agent

Concerns: None

Notes: A sugar alcohol that helps bind moisture.

🧪 Propylene Glycol / 丙二醇

Purpose: Humectant/Solvent

Concerns: Can cause contact dermatitis in some individuals.

Notes: Helps ingredients penetrate the skin and maintains moisture.

📁 Active Ingredients (Vitamins & Extracts) / 活性成分(维生素与提取物)

🧪 Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate / 抗坏血酸磷酸酯钠

Purpose: Antioxidant

Concerns: None

Notes: A stable, water-soluble form of Vitamin C known for brightening.

🧪 Tocopheryl Acetate / 生育酚乙酸酯

Purpose: Antioxidant

Concerns: None

Notes: A form of Vitamin E that helps protect the skin from free radical damage.

🧪 Retinyl Palmitate / 视黄醇棕榈酸酯

Purpose: Skin Conditioning

Concerns: Generally safe in rinse-off products, but high doses of Vitamin A derivatives require caution in sun exposure.

Notes: A milder ester form of Vitamin A (Retinol).

🧪 Panax Ginseng Root Extract / 人参根提取物

Purpose: Skin Conditioning

Concerns: None

Notes: Known for revitalizing and anti-aging properties.

🧪 Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract / 黄瓜果提取物

Purpose: Soothing

Concerns: None

Notes: Provides cooling and soothing effects.

🧪 Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract / 姜根提取物

Purpose: Skin Conditioning

Concerns: Can be sensitizing for very sensitive skin.

Notes: Has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

🧪 Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract / 葡萄柚果提取物

Purpose: Skin Conditioning/Antioxidant

Concerns: Can be photosensitizing if used in large amounts in leave-on products.

Notes: Rich in antioxidants.

📁 Texture Enhancers & Stabilizers / 质地增强剂与稳定剂

🧪 Acrylates Copolymer / 丙烯酸(酯)类共聚物

Purpose: Film Former/Texture Enhancer

Concerns: None

Notes: Helps control the viscosity of the product and often used to suspend beads.

🧪 Cellulose / 纤维素

Purpose: Thickener/Exfoliant

Concerns: None

Notes: Often used in cleansers as a mild physical scrubbing agent.

🧪 Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose / 羟丙基甲基纤维素

Purpose: Thickener/Stabilizer

Concerns: None

Notes: Improves the texture and foam stability.

🧪 Disodium EDTA / EDTA 二钠

Purpose: Chelating Agent

Concerns: None

Notes: Binds to metal ions to maintain product stability and efficacy.

🧪 Sodium Hydroxide / 氢氧化钠

Purpose: pH Adjuster

Concerns: Highly caustic in pure form, but safe when reacted in formulation.

Notes: Used to establish the correct pH balance of the cleanser.

📁 Sensory & Cooling Agents / 感官与清凉剂

🧪 Fragrance / 香精

Purpose: Scent

Concerns: Common cause of skin irritation and allergic reactions.

Notes: Added for user experience but adds no skincare benefit.

🧪 Menthol / 薄荷醇

Purpose: Cooling Agent

Concerns: Can be irritating and sensitizing to eyes and sensitive skin.

Notes: Provides a fresh, cooling sensation.

🧪 Menthyl Lactate / 乳酸薄荷酯

Purpose: Cooling Agent

Concerns: Generally milder than menthol.

Notes: A derivative of menthol offering a milder, longer-lasting cooling effect.

📁 Preservatives / 防腐剂

🧪 Phenoxyethanol / 苯氧乙醇

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: Safe in low concentrations, can be irritating to eyes.

Notes: A very common alternative to parabens.

🧪 Methylchloroisothiazolinone / 甲基氯异噻唑啉酮

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: High risk of contact allergy; typically restricted to rinse-off products.

Notes: Often used in combination with Methylisothiazolinone (Kathon CG).

🧪 Methylisothiazolinone / 甲基异噻唑啉酮

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: Known sensitizer/allergen; largely banned in leave-on products.

Notes: Effective against bacteria and fungi.

📁 Colorants / 着色剂

🧪 Iron Oxides / 氧化铁类

Purpose: Colorant

Concerns: None

Notes: Provides color to the product.

🧪 Titanium Dioxide / 二氧化钛

Purpose: Colorant/Opacifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Makes the product appear white or opaque; also used as a sunscreen agent but serves as a pigment here.