A gentle, non-foaming hydrating cleanser formulated with essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid to cleanse the skin while restoring the protective skin barrier without stripping moisture.
The cleanser achieves an excellent 9.0 performance rating primarily due to its highly effective, non-stripping formulation designed to protect the skin barrier. It features a powerhouse blend of three essential ceramides (NP, AP, and EOP), cholesterol, and phytosphingosine, which work synergistically to mimic the skin’s natural lipid bilayer and restore its barrier function. Combined with key humectants like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, it effectively hydrates the skin during the cleansing process. While it is exceptional for daily dirt and light oil removal, it may require a double cleanse for heavy makeup or waterproof sunscreen, which is the only minor limitation preventing a perfect score.
With a 9.5 safety rating, this formula is incredibly gentle and highly suitable for sensitive, compromised, or eczema-prone skin. It is completely fragrance-free and essential oil-free, eliminating the most common triggers for contact allergies. Furthermore, it eschews harsh sulfate-based surfactants in favor of mild, non-irritating emulsifiers such as behentrimonium methosulfate and sodium lauroyl lactylate. Preserved safely with phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin, and stabilized with gentle buffering agents, this product minimizes any risk of irritation or moisture barrier disruption.
The 9.2 final rating reflects this product’s status as a gold-standard, dermatologist-beloved daily cleanser. By successfully marrying barrier-repair ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid with an ultra-gentle, non-foaming cleansing system, it delivers top-tier hydration and skin health. It is an exceptionally reliable, universally accessible product that prioritizes skin-barrier integrity and safety above all else, making it a perfect staple for almost all skin types, particularly dry and sensitive skin.
This iconic formula is the gold standard for gentle, non-stripping daily cleansing, particularly suited for those with dry, sensitive, or compromised skin barriers. At its core, the cleanser behaves more like a soothing, hydrating lotion than a traditional soap. It utilizes benign fatty alcohols (such as Cetearyl, Stearyl, and Cetyl Alcohol) alongside incredibly mild emulsifiers to sweep away daily dirt, sweat, and light impurities without disrupting the skin’s delicate acid mantle. The absolute standout feature of this ingredient profile is the targeted combination of three essential ceramides (NP, AP, and EOP), which work synergistically with cholesterol and phytosphingosine. These lipids mimic the skin’s natural protective bilayer. By delivering these barrier-repairing ingredients during the cleansing process, the formula actively works to lock in moisture and prevent the tight, stripped feeling often associated with standard foaming surfactants. Furthermore, the addition of powerful humectants like Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate ensures that water is actively drawn into the outer layers of the skin, leaving it feeling plump, comfortable, and thoroughly hydrated post-rinse. Because it completely lacks harsh anionic surfactants, it produces absolutely no lather or foam. For users accustomed to soapy suds, this lotion-like texture can take some getting used to and may initially feel as though it is not deeply cleaning the skin. However, it is highly effective at maintaining overall skin health and resilience. The formula is entirely fragrance-free, gluten-free, and paraben-free, making it an exceptional, dermatologist-approved choice for individuals dealing with eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, or active skin irritation from harsh acne treatments like prescription retinoids. That being said, its ultra-gentle, emollient-heavy nature means it is not an effective makeup remover on its own, nor will it easily cut through heavy, water-resistant mineral sunscreens. Oily, congested, or acne-prone skin types might find that the creamy residue feels a bit too heavy, potentially leaving them feeling as though their pores have not been thoroughly cleared. For optimal results, those with high sebum production should look for a foaming alternative, while dry, dehydrated, and sensitive skin types will find this to be an absolute holy grail staple in their daily restorative skincare routine.
🧪 Aqua / Water / Eau / 水
Purpose: Solvent
Concerns: None
Notes: Essential base of the formulation to dissolve other water-soluble ingredients.
🧪 Glycerin / 甘油
Purpose: Humectant
Concerns: None
Notes: A highly effective skin-identical ingredient that attracts moisture from the air into the skin.
🧪 Sodium Hyaluronate / 透明质酸钠
Purpose: Humectant
Concerns: None
Notes: The salt form of hyaluronic acid, which intensely hydrates skin cells by holding up to 1000 times its weight in water.
🧪 Ceramide NP / 神经酰胺 NP
Purpose: Skin-Conditioning / Barrier Repair
Concerns: None
Notes: An essential lipid that helps reinforce the skin natural barrier and retain moisture.
🧪 Ceramide AP / 神经酰胺 AP
Purpose: Skin-Conditioning / Barrier Repair
Concerns: None
Notes: Works synergistically with other ceramides to maintain optimal skin hydration and defense.
🧪 Ceramide EOP / 神经酰胺 EOP
Purpose: Skin-Conditioning / Barrier Repair
Concerns: None
Notes: Crucial lipid component that helps bind the outer skin barrier layers together.
🧪 Cholesterol / 胆甾醇
Purpose: Skin-Identical Ingredient / Emollient
Concerns: None
Notes: A key component of the lipid barrier that works with ceramides to promote healthy skin recovery.
🧪 Phytosphingosine / 植物鞘氨醇
Purpose: Skin-Conditioning / Barrier Repair
Concerns: None
Notes: A lipid with natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that supports ceramide production.
🧪 Cetearyl Alcohol / 鲸蜡硬脂醇
Purpose: Emollient / Emulsion Stabilizer
Concerns: May be comedogenic for highly acne-prone skin.
Notes: A fatty alcohol that softens the skin without causing dryness like traditional alcohols.
🧪 Stearyl Alcohol / 硬脂醇
Purpose: Emollient / Viscosity Controller
Concerns: Can have comedogenic potential for some skin types.
Notes: A fatty alcohol that helps to create a rich, creamy texture and soothe skin.
🧪 Cetyl Alcohol / 鲸蜡醇
Purpose: Emollient
Concerns: Slight comedogenic risk for highly acne-prone skin.
Notes: Softens the skin while helping stabilize the emulsion of oil and water.
🧪 Peg-40 Stearate / PEG-40 硬脂酸酯
Purpose: Emulsifier / Cleansing Agent
Concerns: Low risk of skin irritation.
Notes: Helps blend water and oils together to remove impurities gently.
🧪 Glyceryl Stearate / 甘油硬脂酸酯
Purpose: Emulsifier / Emollient
Concerns: May trigger breakouts in highly acne-prone individuals.
Notes: Formulated to leave skin feeling soft and smooth without stripping natural oils.
🧪 Behentrimonium Methosulfate / 山嵛基三甲基甲基硫酸铵
Purpose: Cationic Surfactant / Conditioning Agent
Concerns: Can cause mild irritation in sensitive skin if concentration is high.
Notes: Provides an exceptionally smooth, silky texture and leaves skin soft after washing.
🧪 Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate / 月桂酰乳酰乳酸钠
Purpose: Co-emulsifier / Mild Surfactant
Concerns: None
Notes: A mild surfactant that assists in dispersing lipids like ceramides efficiently into the skin.
🧪 Polysorbate 20 / 聚山梨醇酯-20
Purpose: Emulsifier / Solubilizer
Concerns: Generally safe with low irritation potential.
Notes: Helps stable-mix tiny amounts of oils into the water-based formula.
🧪 Carbomer / 卡波姆
Purpose: Thickener / Gel-Forming Agent
Concerns: None
Notes: Helps control the viscosity of the cleanser, keeping it in a rich gel-cream state.
🧪 Xanthan Gum / 黄原胶
Purpose: Viscosity Modifier
Concerns: None
Notes: A natural thickener that improves texture and stabilization of the emulsion.
🧪 Phenoxyethanol / 苯氧乙醇
Purpose: Preservative
Concerns: May cause mild irritation in extremely sensitive skin.
Notes: Prevents bacterial and fungal growth to ensure the safety and longevity of the product.
🧪 Ethylhexylglycerin / 乙基己基甘油
Purpose: Preservative Booster / Humectant
Concerns: Extremely low risk of mild contact allergy.
Notes: Boosts the efficacy of phenoxyethanol while providing minor skin conditioning.
🧪 Disodium EDTA / 乙二胺四乙酸二钠
Purpose: Chelating Agent
Concerns: None
Notes: Prevents metal ions from degrading the formulation, ensuring stability over time.
🧪 Potassium Phosphate / 磷酸钾
Purpose: pH Buffering Agent
Concerns: None
Notes: Maintains the stability and safe pH level of the cleanser.
🧪 Dipotassium Phosphate / 磷酸氢二钾
Purpose: pH Buffering Agent
Concerns: None
Notes: Works in tandem with potassium phosphate to keep the cleanser skin-friendly.
🧪 Tocopherol / 生育酚
Purpose: Antioxidant
Concerns: Very low risk of irritation.
Notes: Commonly known as Vitamin E, it protects the skin and product ingredients from oxidative stress.